Grace Blain Mussard

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Grace Blain Mussard, 91, died Saturday (Feb. 27, 2010), at her home in Dillon, Mont.

She was born Sept. 30, 1918 near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Guy and Nellie (Lane) Blain. The Blains moved to Kilbourne when Grace was three. She graduated from Brown School in 1936, earned her teaching certificate from Kent State University and her bachelor’s degree in education from The Ohio State University in 1970. Grace taught at three elementary schools in Central Ohio including Brown School. Grace and her husband Earl enjoyed genealogy, antiques and volunteering at the Delaware County Historical Society. They were members of the West Berlin Presbyterian Church. They were enthusiastic travelers and enjoyed catching up with family in the U.S. and with her Canadian cousins. Grace helped establish a 4-H club in the early 1960s that emphasized environmental projects. She was a longtime member of the Kilbourne Mothers’ Club and a fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes. She found great peace and solace in gardening, even mowing her own lawn last summer. Grace lived a full and happy life always in touch with and loving her family, all of whom brought her great pride and joy. In 2001, Grace and Earl sold their Ohio farm on Braumiller Road and moved to a home on their son Warren’s ranch in Dillon, Mont. They enjoyed family and many new friends while living in Big Sky Country.

She is survived by three sons, Warren (Bobbie) of Dillon, Mont., David (Lois) of Mount Vernon and Donald (Peg) of Ft. Collins, Colo.; grandchildren, Chad (Jana), Bryan (Marcia), Ted (Heather), Martin (Jana) Jeff, Sarah, Nathan, Richard (Sadie) and Robert; 18 great-grandchildren, Taylor, Trystyn, Tanner, Terron, Maggie Grace, Levi, Lane, Phoebe, Ashlee, Lauren, Zerah (Bryan), Gerad, Zach, Silas, Talitha, Shylee, Nadia and Bailey; sister, Blanche Blain of Delaware; brother, James Blain of Orchard Lake, Mich.; brothers-in-law, Warren Mussard of Delaware and Floyd Mussard of Arroyo Grande, Calif; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was affectionately known by many of them as Aunt Gracie.

Grace was preceded in death by Earl, her husband of 66 years, and a sister, Dorothy Dillon.

Brundage Funeral Home of Dillon, Mont. is handling arrangements. A memorial service will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a remembrance to Habitat for Humanity, the Humane Society of Beaverhead County, Mont. or the charity of your choice.