Grace Edna Boesel's Obituary
Grace Edna (Barcal) Boesel, May 18, 1925 - January 19, 2016
Grace Edna Barcal was born May 18, 1925 in Chicago, IL to Edward John Barcal and Grace Amelia (Franck) Barcal. At the age of eighteen Grace met Charles Boesel on a cross-country train ride. They were married four months later on January 18, 1944 in Chandler, AZ and shortly thereafter moved to Winthrop, WA, Charles’ hometown in the North Cascades.
In 1951 Grace and Charles relocated to Lakewood, WA and put down roots. Charles went to work at McChord Air Force Base while Grace ran the household and rode herd on their four children. When Charles retired in 1981, Grace and he began a 10-year period when they spent the summer months living and working in a casino in Reno where they made new friends as well as meeting up with old friends on vacation.
Grace was an integral part of the large Boesel clan that included five brothers and a sister. She embraced her new family and she and Charles made yearly treks over the mountains to visit family in Winthrop and for extended camping trips in the Pasayten Wilderness area. She never missed one of the biennial family reunions in Winthrop.
Grace ran a tight ship and expected the best from her children. But she captained the family with calm compassion and created a positive environment for all to succeed. She was also an avid bowler and golfer and stayed active her whole life.
On January 19, 2016, at the age of 90, Grace Boesel left this world with the same grace and courage with which she lived her life. She was able to say a personal good-bye to all of her children and most of her grandchildren. She joined Charles (who had passed away four months earlier) just two hours after their 72nd wedding anniversary. True love never dies.
Grace will be sorely missed by her four children and their spouses: Sue and Dan Holder; Steve and Dawn Boesel; Jim and Lynda Boesel; and Laurie and Todd Thompson. She is also survived by her brothers, George and Tom. Also, ten grandchildren: Curt ( Laura) Holder, Keith (Laura) Holder, Amanda (Derick) Brice, Jill (Jeremy) Krumlauf, Greg (Carole) Boesel, Melissa (Toby) Wood, Adam (Eb) (Danielle) Boesel, Ed (Jillian) Sollid , Michelle Sollid and Davina (Travis) Labbe. She had seventeen great grandchildren: Julia, Jonathan, Natalie and Allison Holder; Luke and Joia Holder; Malia Brice; Katie and Emma Wood; Sean, Courtney and David Sollid and Xavier Lincoln; Charlie and Violet Boesel; Ella and Grace Labbe.
There will be a celebration of Grace’s life on February 6, 2016, at 1:00 pm at The United Churches, 110 11th Ave. Olympia. Donations in Grace's memory can be made to The Shafer Historical Museum, 285 Castle Ave #46, Winthrop, WA 98862.
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