Grace Roghair

GRACE ROGHAIR was a Christian woman who devoted her life to the Lord and her family. She was born on July 8, 1917 in Platte, South Dakota to Hendrik “Henry” and Lulktje “Lucy” (Dykema) Weaver.

As a child she moved to rural Okaton, South Dakota and then later returned to Platte. She attended country schools through the eighth grade. As a young woman, she moved to Murdo, South Dakota and worked as a nanny and housekeeper.

On February 6, 1937 she was united in marriage to Jacob Henry Roghair before a warm fireplace in the parsonage of the Congregational Church at Fort Pierre, South Dakota by the Rev. Pengelly. Following their marriage, the couple lived on a farm east of Okaton and 15 years later moved to a farm north of Okaton. Grace was a true pioneer woman who along with her husband, Jacob, began their life together without modern conveniences. She was a true helpmate to her husband and caring mother to her children. In 1998, Grace moved to the Oaks apartments in Luverne, Minnesota while Jacob moved into the nursing home in Garretson, South Dakota. Jacob preceded her in death in 2001. Grace continued to reside at the Oaks until she moved into her daughter’s home in Luverne in 2005. In 2009, Grace became a resident at the Parkview Manor Nursing Home in Ellsworth, Minnesota. On Friday, April 29, 2011 at the Luverne Hospice Cottage at the age of 93 years, 9 months and 21 days, Grace went to be with her Lord.

Grace was a member of the Okaton Reformed Church (which later became the Okaton Evangelical Free Church) from 1937 to 1998. Upon moving to Luverne, she attended the American Reformed Church. She was involved in church activities as a teacher for Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and was a member of the Golden Rule Women’s Society. She perfected the art of letter writing with her many faithful letters to family and friends. She enjoyed embroidering, sewing, crocheting, quilting, gardening, rug looming, reading and visiting with family and friends. Most of all, she enjoyed the company of her children and grandchildren and was a great prayer warrior on their behalf.

She is lovingly remembered by her seven children, Melvin and his wife Clarice of Okaton, South Dakota, Lorraine and her husband Arnold Stoel of Luverne, Minnesota, Lawrence and his wife Evelyn of Murdo, South Dakota, Richard and his wife Violet of Black Hawk, South Dakota, Alice and her husband Ronny Jakeway of Rock Springs, Wyoming, Lois and her husband Joe Ferris of Valentine, Nebraska, and Jerry and his wife Connie of Okaton, South Dakota; 24 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Her family now is numbering 128 strong. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jacob; a great-granddaughter, Kristi Lee; parents, Henry and Lucy Weaver; three brothers, John, Arent, and Harry Weaver; and a sister, Wolina Bessey.

Memorials may be directed to the Luverne Hospice Cottage. Blessed by the memory of Grace Roghair!