Grace Delene (Barber) Van Vactor, 98, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Hospice House in Rapid City, SD on April 4, 2024.
She was born on December 27, 1925 in Scenic, SD to John McKinley and Ethel Vina (Barclay) Barber. They moved from Scenic to Newell, SD in 1928 where Grace attended country school and graduated from Newell High School in 1943. Grace was united in marriage to Warren Van Vactor on November 3, 1948, who she met while roller skating.
Grace was a wonderful seamstress and her daughters always had a new outfit to wear. All we had to do was ask or suggest. Her freshly baked homemade cookies were often waiting for us when we got home from school. For many years she was the custodian for the First
Congregational Church (UCC) in Spearfish, where she was a member, and she cleaned several doctor/dental offices.
Grace and Warren wintered in Quartzsite, Arizona for several years. After their divorce in June of 1982, she continued to winter in AZ where she met Paul King. Paul and Mom enjoyed AZ together and spent their summers traveling. After Paul passed away in 2002, Grace moved back to Spearfish, SD. She resided in Spearfish until January of 2020 when she moved to the Victorian Assisted Living facility in Rapid City, SD.
Survivors include a son, Jerry (Kathy), Rapid City, daughters, Robin (Dave) Henrikson, Rapid City and Green Valley, AZ, Carol (Lanny) Beach, Oregon City, OR. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Kelley (Toby) Madsen, Kimberly (Brent) Dieball, both of Rapid City, Greg Henrikson, Ainsworth, NE, Scott (Bridget) Henrikson, Rapid City, and Jessica (Steve Seaman, Antioch, CA. She is survived by 13 great-grandchildren, Mickenzi, Austin, Christian, and Isabelle Madsen, Rapid City, and Shawn Madsen, Monterey Park, CA, Camden, Meghan, and Nathan Dieball, Rapid City, Ella, Bennett, and Arthur Henrikson, Rapid City, and Luna and Isla Seaman, Antioch, CA.
Grace was preceded in death by her parents, sister Cleo Barber, brother Alfred Eugene (Gene) Barber, daughter Karen in infancy and her kids’ dad, Warren Van Vactor.
Grace will be interred at Hope Cemetery, Newell, SD. At her request there will be no services.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.
