Grace Kroll

A gracious, kindhearted, and gentle woman, Grace Kroll exemplified what it means to be a woman who is truly beautiful on the inside and out. She was accompanied by an unwavering faith that was the cornerstone on which her life was established. Grace treasured being a wife and mother, but she just may have argued that becoming a grandmother was her richest reward. She loved to giggle and had the most contagious zest for life that drew others near with ease. Although she will be deeply missed, Grace’s timeless legacy will be proudly carried on by the generations who were her greatest source of pride and joy.

The decade of the 1920s brought us some of the most vibrant days we have seen in America. Innovation paved the way for numerous advancements such as the refrigerator, washing machine, and radios while the automobile became more affordable due to the assembly line. Jazz music continued to dominate the music scene, and the game of baseball became America’s favorite pastime with legends Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb leading the way. It was during this exciting time that a young couple from Detroit, Michigan, was pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Grace Carolyn, on July 16, 1923. Born in the family home on Perry Street, she was one of two daughters given to her parents, Herbert Maxwell and Vivian Grace (Smith) Poag, joined in her family by her sister, Dorothy Jean. Grace’s father worked as a bus driver and also owned a gas station while her mother was a busy homemaker.

In many ways Grace experienced an upbringing that was a reflection of her generation. When she was six she moved with her family to Caledonia, Ontario, Canada, in an attempt to save the family farm during the beginning days of the Great Depression. While there Grace and her sister attended a one-room schoolhouse. Their efforts proved to be futile, however, and the farm could not be saved. The family then moved back to Detroit when Grace was eight. As a young girl she loved reading and was a social butterfly while in school. Spending time as a family was an important aspect of life in the Poag home. They often gathered to play cards, eat, socialize, and have fun while Sunday afternoons often found them on Belle Isle and in Canada visiting. Grace graduated from Cooley High School in Detroit as a young woman. For a time she worked as a dental assistant at Hudson’s Department Store.

Not to be forgotten during her years as a young woman was Grace’s introduction to the young man of her dreams. His name was Clarence Kroll, and they were introduced by her sister. After dating for a time they found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to establish a life together Grace and Clarence were married in 1944 while he was home from the Army on furlough while serving in WWII. Together they were blessed to welcome a healthy baby girl into their hearts and home, their beautiful Kathleen.

Throughout her life there was nothing that was more important to Grace than caring for her family as a loving wife, mother, and homemaker. They enjoyed traveling together, often taking car trips all around the country to places like Yellowstone National Park, Niagara Falls, and also sightseeing all around the Great Lakes region. As her family later grew to include grandchildren, Grace couldn’t have been happier, and it was easy to see that Jennifer, Megan, and Matthew were the light of her life. Holidays were spent celebrating as a family, and there was always more than enough love and laughter to go around. One of the highlights of Grace’s life was when she and her daughter, granddaughters, and great-granddaughter took a special girls only trip to Baltimore, Maryland. Later in life she was deeply saddened with the death of her beloved Clarence in 1981 after 37 years of marriage.

In addition to caring for her family, Grace kept busy in numerous other ways as well. For several years she worked as a telephone operator at Michigan Bell where she even got written up for being too helpful! Grace was an active and founding member of her church, St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church, as she regularly helped with the baking, cleaning, rummage sales, fundraisers, and several other groups, ministries, and activities. Grace enjoyed watching her home teams like the Tigers and Red Wings, and she also loved watching ice skating and the Westminster Dog Show. She was a true lady who believed in looking her best and never left the house without her hair done and lipstick on. Grace also made sure that she always had the right shoes and jewelry to compliment her overall look. When it came to her favorite foods she enjoyed chocolate and ice cream.

All who knew Grace Kroll would agree that she was one of the sweetest people around. She was social, outgoing, and talkative with the best giggle as well. Grace never had an unkind word to say about anyone and could see the best in people, too. Second only to her faith was the love that Grace had for her family, and it was when surrounded by her loved ones that she felt true happiness. With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, she created a brilliant collection of memories that will be forever treasured by her numerous loved ones. Grace will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Grace Carolyn Kroll died on February 22, 2014. Grace’s family includes her daughter, Kathleen (Raymond) Smith; grandchildren, Jennifer (Paul) Chambers, Megan (Mark) Weedon, and Matthew (Tiffany Vargo) Smith’ great-grandchildren, Alyssa Bradshaw, Benson and Caleb Weedon, Alexandra and Morgan Chambers; sister, Dorothy Shoupe; nieces and nephews, Richard, David (Donna) and Nancy Ansman; great-nephews, Jeffrey Ansman (Kiri) and Scott Shoupe. Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence. Family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 25 from 2-8 at Neely-Turowski Life Story Funeral Home, 30200 Five Mile Rd, Livonia, MI, where a funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Interment Parkview Memorial Park. Please feel free to sign the online guestbook prior to arriving at the funeral home at: www.TurowskiLifeStory.com.