Denise Grace
August 26, 1957 — June 24, 2024
Denise Ann Grace, daughter of Donald and Marlene Leslie Renfeld, was born on August 26, 1957 in Harlan, Iowa. She attended schools in Avoca, Iowa and graduated with the AvoHa High School Class of 1975. She was united in marriage to Dennis Grace in 1979 but the two of them later divorced. Together they welcomed Ryan “T” and Brian.
After High school she worked at National Indemnity in Omaha, JcPenny’s and also babysat. She worked at Gamco for many year. Denise also spent time working at Avoca Nursing and Rehab, Avoca Mini Mart and the Heritage Restaurant in Avoca. She played basketball in high school and loved the sport until a knee injury took her out permanently. But that didn't stop her love for basketball most importantly the AHSTW Vikings and Lady Vikes and the women's Iowa Hawkeyes. She was also in the band being a pom pom girl and got the opportunity to go to Atlantic City, NJ in the fall of 1974 to march in the Miss America parade when Rebecca Ann King returned her crown. She was also a bowler in her earlier years, bowling with a ladies league for a short time and a mixed league with her sister. She loved everything Princess Diana. Even getting up at 3am for Princess Diana's wedding and funeral. She always said she had the wave down and even framing a picture of her for her wall.
As the whole family loved our yearly family trips to Okoboji, Denise loved her Queen. Always sitting out on the docks of Fillenwarth waiting for it to dock each evening. She followed the restoration of it last winter and was excited for its relaunch into the Okoboji waters this Spring. She loved her one and only granddaughter and looked forward to her visits to Avoca. Her nieces and nephews were her world. She loved each and every one of them fiercely. Always wanting her sister Tina to send her photos of the Kiesel kids as she navigated a smart phone. Brian introduced her to Facebook and a whole world opened up to her so she could keep in touch with everyone. We will miss her posts and updates, her sense of humor, quick wit, fast comebacks and one liners.
On Monday, June 24, 2024, Denise passed unexpectedly at Myrtue Hospital in Harlan, having attained the age of 66 years, 9 months and 29 days. She was preceded in death by her parents Donald and Marlene and sister Doreen.
Left to cherish her here on earth are her sons Ryan “T” and Brian Grace of Avoca, Iowa; granddaughter Ivy Grace; siblings Dean and wife Sheryl Renfeld of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Tina and husband Ron Scroggie of Avoca, Iowa; uncle Russell and wife Suzanne Leslie of Council Bluffs, Iowa; nieces and nephews, other family and many friends.
After High school she worked at National Indemnity in Omaha, JcPenny’s and also babysat. She worked at Gamco for many year. Denise also spent time working at Avoca Nursing and Rehab, Avoca Mini Mart and the Heritage Restaurant in Avoca. She played basketball in high school and loved the sport until a knee injury took her out permanently. But that didn't stop her love for basketball most importantly the AHSTW Vikings and Lady Vikes and the women's Iowa Hawkeyes. She was also in the band being a pom pom girl and got the opportunity to go to Atlantic City, NJ in the fall of 1974 to march in the Miss America parade when Rebecca Ann King returned her crown. She was also a bowler in her earlier years, bowling with a ladies league for a short time and a mixed league with her sister. She loved everything Princess Diana. Even getting up at 3am for Princess Diana's wedding and funeral. She always said she had the wave down and even framing a picture of her for her wall.
As the whole family loved our yearly family trips to Okoboji, Denise loved her Queen. Always sitting out on the docks of Fillenwarth waiting for it to dock each evening. She followed the restoration of it last winter and was excited for its relaunch into the Okoboji waters this Spring. She loved her one and only granddaughter and looked forward to her visits to Avoca. Her nieces and nephews were her world. She loved each and every one of them fiercely. Always wanting her sister Tina to send her photos of the Kiesel kids as she navigated a smart phone. Brian introduced her to Facebook and a whole world opened up to her so she could keep in touch with everyone. We will miss her posts and updates, her sense of humor, quick wit, fast comebacks and one liners.
On Monday, June 24, 2024, Denise passed unexpectedly at Myrtue Hospital in Harlan, having attained the age of 66 years, 9 months and 29 days. She was preceded in death by her parents Donald and Marlene and sister Doreen.
Left to cherish her here on earth are her sons Ryan “T” and Brian Grace of Avoca, Iowa; granddaughter Ivy Grace; siblings Dean and wife Sheryl Renfeld of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Tina and husband Ron Scroggie of Avoca, Iowa; uncle Russell and wife Suzanne Leslie of Council Bluffs, Iowa; nieces and nephews, other family and many friends.
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