Violet "Grace" Sterly, 81 Grace Sterly, wife of Lawrence Sterly, passed away late Friday afternoon at her home in Bear Creek Township. Her life began on July 9, 1927 in St. Marys Pennsylvania, when she was born the daughter of Cletus and Julia (Strickler) Lenze. At a young age her family moved to Michigan where they made their home. She married Lawrence on June 28, 1947. Together they raised seven children who all survive, Joseph (Penny) of Evart, James (Barbara) of Petoskey, Juliann (Frank) Holzschu of Petoskey, Jerome of Petoskey, Janice (Jeff) Jarvis of Petoskey, Jeffrey of Syracuse, New York, and Juanita (Pat) O'Brian of Wesley Chapel, Florida. Also surviving Grace are 21 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and her sisters, Pat Hayden Crosier, Eleanor Hayden, Frances Hayden, Joyce Steele and one brother, Elmer Daniels. Preceding her in death were her grandchildren, Timothy, Lorena, Mark Sterly and Andrew Holzschu; as well as siblings, Rose Mary Neiswander, Henry Lenze and Adam Daniels. Her children remember a tireless mother who did everything within her power to help keep up the family farm while at the same time raising seven children. Grace understood the value of hard work and passed that lesson on to her children. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and spending summers tending her garden. She also had a gift for cake decorating and could always be counted on to put that skill to use for anyone who asked. In years past she also helped with 4-H in sewing and gardening. Over the last few years as her health has faded she received wonderful care from the folks at the Living Room Adult Day Care, who her family will forever be grateful. Grace's family would also like to thank the Doctors, Nurse's and staff of Hospice of Little Traverse Bay, who provided wonderful care during her final days. A Funeral Mass celebrating Grace's life will be held on Tuesday, January 20th at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m., Fr. Dennis Stilwell will celebrate mass. Visitation will be held this evening from 6-8 p.m. at Stone Funeral Home a wake service will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friends may also call at the church on Tuesday morning beginning at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Those wishing to honor Grace's memory with a charitable contribution are asked to consider Hospice of Little Traverse Bay or The Living Room, in lieu of flowers.
(http://www.stonefuneralhomeinc.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=318298&fh_id=11514)