Grace Roberta (Dickhudt) Polley entered eternal life with the Lord on March 31, 2023. She was born on March 1, 1927 to Walter Ludwig and Alma Marie (Thoele) Dickhudt. Grace grew up in St. Paul, MN and attended school at St. Stephanus Lutheran School and Washington High School. After she graduated from high school, she worked at Great Northern Railroad in St. Paul as a Scheduling Clerk.
One story that her younger sister Marion remembers from that time: Grace would get up early to go to work and return home in the evening several hours after school was out for the day. This provided Marion the opportunity to “borrow” some of Grace’s clothing. This scheme worked out very well, until one day Grace noticed that the scent in one of her scarves was not her perfume. The jig was up!
It was during this time that Grace met her future husband, Victor, while he was attending college in St. Paul. Grace and Victor were married in February 1950 and settled in Hunter, KS after Victor completed his seminary studies. They were blessed with two boys while serving there, Walter William and David Jon. The growing family moved to Hays, KS where two more children were added, James Robert and Kristine Lynda. From there, the family moved to Steger, IL and finally in 1969 returned to Kansas when her family moved to Leavenworth.
Throughout these years, Grace was active in church and was a member of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Ladies Aid, and Altar Guild. She participated in her children’s lives as a Homeroom Mother and as an active member in the various Parent Teacher Leagues.
Once her children were older, Grace worked at several Leavenworth businesses. She loved to meet new people and to chat with them. Her jobs allowed this passion to blossom. She was a clerk at One Hour Martinizing and later worked at Russell Pharmacy and Treasury Drugs.
After her retirement, Grace volunteered at The Carousel, the Assistance Center, and Trinity House, her special passion. This volunteer work provided many opportunities for Grace to encounter interesting people and talk with them. It also gave her the opportunity to assist others and be a blessing to them.
Grace was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Rev. Victor Marvin, brothers Robert Walter and Wallace Leonard, and sister Dorothy Alma (Stach). She is survived by brothers Herbert Charles and his wife LaVerne, Robert John and his wife Doris, and sister Marion Lois (Hastings); her children Walter WIlliam and his wife Virginia, David Jon and his partner Bruce Cain, James Robert and his wife Gabrielle Elizabeth, and Kristine Lynda (Thomas) and her husband Dale.
Grace was blessed with 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and other friends and family that loved her dearly. Her earnest desire was that everyone would hear about and share the love of the Lord Jesus Christ, accept His gift of salvation, and live together with Him in eternity.
The family would like to thank the loving staff of ANEW Health Care, Easton, and St.Luke’s Hospice, who looked after and cared for Grace as her health deteriorated. We are indebted to you for your love and kindness.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Trinity House, 2101 10th Avenue, Leavenworth, KS 66048.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Davis Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2101 10th Ave, Leavenworth, KS on Monday, April 10 at 4 to 6 pm and again on Tuesday morning at 9:00 am. The funeral service will be held Tuesday at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at Mount Muncie Cemetery.
