Grace Florence Spence

Grace Spence, age 89, of Vernon Center, died on Saturday, August 1, 2020 at her home surrounded by loved ones.

Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at the Northview – North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Private family interment will be at Vernon Center Cemetery.

Grace Florence, the daughter of Carl and Palma (Stordahl) Nelson, was born on October 24, 1930 in Madelia. She graduated from Madelia High School. Grace was a beautician in Windom and Fairmont before she married Stanley Spence on September 2, 1950 in Madelia. Stan and Grace moved to Vernon Center where Grace raised their six children and helped Stan on the farm. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Vernon Center and a member of the Mary Circle. Stan and Grace traveled to Mexico with the Lions Club for 15 years to distribute eye glasses to the poor and hosted many families with Friendship Force. Grace enjoyed gardening, birthday lunches with her friends and spending time with family and friends.

She is survived by her husband, Stan Spence of Vernon Center; six children, Steve (Terri) Spence of Vernon Center, Jeff Spence of Lake Crystal, Linda Collin of Cape Coral, FL, Janet (Terry) Othoudt of Vernon Center, Lori Spence of Vernon Center, and Gary (Courtney) Spence of Mankato; nine grandchildren, Jim (Kelly) Othoudt, Stephanie (Derek) Cooper, Julie (Steven) Green, Kristy (Tyler) Jacobsen, Brittany (Melvin) Thomas, Jessy (Nicole) Spence, Alex Spence, Luke Hennis, and Al Hennis; ten great grandchildren, Kayli, Joey, Carson, Connor, Delana, Dustin, Autumn, Kadance, Hailey, and Liam; sisters, Irma Wendland of Madelia, Helen Schwanke of Mankato, and Norma (Earl) Rydeholm of Brooklyn Center; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Warren Nelson and Maynard “Butch” Nelson.