Grace Marie Oelke

Grace Marie Oelke, 77, of Topeka, passed away on Saturday, March 31, 2007 at Alterra Clare Bridge Cottage in Topeka. She was born on February 27, 1930 in Denison, the daughter of Jerry H. and Ida Hunt Sanders. She graduated from Circleville High School. She had resided in Topeka most of her life. She was employed by a variety of restaurants including Ira Price, The Jolly, the Red Dragon and the China Inn. She attended First Assembly of God Church and was a member of Capitol Post No. 1 of the American Legion. Grace married Morton E. Oelke on September 20, 1958 in Topeka. He preceded her in death on September 19, 2002. Survivors include four daughters, Diana J. Dean of Gladwater, TX, Debra A. Pettit, Denise L. Forgy and Darlene K. Frye all of Topeka, thirteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, one sister, Nellie Larabee of Sabetha and three brothers, Jerry Sanders of Topeka, John Sanders of Holton and Tom Sanders of Fulton, MO. Services will be held at 9:00 a.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. Grace will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where the family will recevie friends from 6:30 -8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer's Association, 515 S. Kansas Ave., Suite B-2, Topeka, KS 66603 or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 1653, Topeka, KS 66601.