Laberta Margarete (Kidwell) Grace

Laberta Margarete (Kidwell) Grace, 103, of Gower, MO passed away April 7, 2008 at Gower Convalescent Center.

She was born on a farm near Martinsville, MO on November 17, 1904, the oldest child of Leroy and Maude (Deason) Kidwell, where she grew up and graduated from Martinsville High School in 1923. She attended college at Northwest Missouri Teachers College (now Northwest Missouri State University) in Maryville, MO and taught school in Pattonsburg, MO for one year.

On May 14, 1926 she was united in marriage to Guy G. Grace of Martinsville. They lived in Grant City, MO until 1935 when they moved to a farm northwest of Martinsville. In 1966, Laberta and Guy moved to Gower, MO. Her husband, Guy passed away in 1967.

Laberta was a homemaker and taught in the Martinsville School District, first in a rural school and then in town. After moving to Gower, she taught ceramics in her home.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Gower. Laberta was also a charter member of the Gower ‘39ers and enjoyed taking trips with other seniors on the OATS Bus.

Laberta was also preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Mildred Kidwell and Kathryn Kidwell and a brother, Worth Kidwell.

She is survived by her son, Merwyn Grace and wife, Evelyn, Gower, a daughter, Rosalee Bridges and husband, Larry, Broomfield, CO, two grandchildren, Dru Ann Adam, Smithville and Steven Bridges, Miamisburg, OH, two great-grandchildren, Ashley Adam, Springfield, MO and Justin Adam, Columbia, MO, several nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Graveside Service: 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 12^th at Kidwell Cemetery near Martinsville, MO.

Visitation: 10:00-11:00 a.m. Saturday at the Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Gower

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Gower.