Grace Bertha Halliday, 75, of La Grande, died Sept. 25 at St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise. A celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Burial will follow at the Hillcrest East Cemetery. Viewing will run from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.
Grace was born on Oct. 26, 1931, to Raymond and Anna (Gritzmacher) Viergutz in Wausau, Wis. She played semi-pro softball on an all-women’s team and loved the sport. She graduated from high school in Wausau and moved to Oregon.
On Oct. 9, 1951, she married Alta Wiliam “Doc” Halliday in La Grande. His work for the railroad took them to various places including Arlington, Pendleton, Hinkle and Huntington before settling in La Grande more than 40 years ago. Grace worked as a cook for local nursing homes and as a housekeeper for local motels.
She was a member of AARP and was the state co-coordinator at one time. She was a member of the Union County Senior Council, Youth Council, UPRR Old Timers and Jr. Old Timers and the VFW Auxiliary, of which she was a past president. She was an ombudsman for local nursing homes and served as umpire for local softball games. She helped her husband in his duties as a volunteer firefighter and was an avid bowler.
She was an active member of the Union County Senior Center and the Blue Mountain. Fiddlers Association. She enjoyed ceramics and flowers and loved family outings and gatherings.
Survivors include her husband of La Grande; children, Billie Halliday of La Grande, Pam and Tim Willcoxon of La Grande, Randy and Cheryl Halliday of Provo, Utah, Lynn Halliday of La Grande and Marty Halliday of La Grande; brothers, Les Viergutz and Glen Viergutz, both of Wausau; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Winfield Scott; grandson, Mark Willcoxon; four brothers; and one sister.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Union County Senior Center or the Meals on Wheels program in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande, 97850.
La Grande Observer – Obituaries For The Week Ending September 29, 2007 – Published: September 29, 2007