Grace Ann Gallagher

Grace Gallager - September 28, 1934-August 20, 2025 Independent, adventurous, warm-hearted, and faithful, Grace Gallagher died peacefully on August 20, 2025, just shy of her 91st birthday. Grace was the fifth of eight children. Her parents, Anna and Fred Takes, raised their family in Bernard, Iowa. Early on, Grace learned to sew, garden, and play school under the tutelage of her big sister. She attended a one-room schoolhouse until 8th grade, and then went to high school in Dubuque. She endured some good-natured family snickering for wearing flashy hats to church and sunbathing on tinfoil. She asserted independence even in the early days. She joined her three older sisters at Marycrest College in Davenport and became a Registered Dietitian. In her first year at Marycrest, she was chosen as class president with no campaign or interest in the role. Flustered, Grace called her mother, wanting to quit school and come home. Her tuition, however, had already been paid for the semester. So she stuck it out and, four years later, she was student body president. Grace had an adventurous spirit, making decisions seemingly without fear. After graduation, she embarked on an internship in Chicago and, from there, moved to East Orange, New Jersey, to work in the VA hospital system. Grace would occasionally zip to New York City for Broadway shows and shopping. When friends proposed taking a trip to Europe for several months, Grace quit her job, and off they went. Back stateside and out of money, Grace moved with friends to San Francisco. When she couldn't immediately get a job as a Registered Dietitian, Grace worked at the I. Magnum gift emporium, quickly discovering that finding gifts for strangers was a challenge. Fortunately, she landed a job at Merritt Hospital in Oakland and bought a Volkswagen Bug, which did not have a gas gauge and memorably ran out of gas on a bridge during rush hour. From then on, Grace liked to keep the tank full. Husband Dan would later tease, "We can make it to Iowa and back on this tank!" And so the banter went on regular jaunts to the Hawkeye state. Grace had her colors analyzed by the pioneering Suzanne Caygill, and she applied what she learned to her wardrobe and home decor. Upon learning that gray wasn't flattering, Grace gave away a newly purchased designer coat. Grace was unsentimental when it came to stuff. Though frugal, she would spend a bit more for quality, preferring something that would last. Ready for more international experience and service, Grace applied to the Peace Corps. As quoted in the local newspaper, "I have been itching to get into the Peace Corps since it first came out, and I read a lot about it...I applied and was accepted, and now I'm ready to go. Why? Because I believe in what it stands for." Grace was to serve in Peru, but not before training: Grace was sent to Cornell University for language skills and Puerto Rico for physical preparations. In the Arequipa region, Grace used her skills as a dietitian and helped build a library. She later wrote about her experience: "In trying to know and help these people, we received much more than we were able to give them. They convinced us that in the giving of oneself, life becomes fuller, richer, and more beautiful." After the Peace Corps, Grace landed a job at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis and moved to the Twin Cities. She joined the Catholic Alumni Association, also known as "Catch A Catholic," where she met Dan Gallagher, who drew her attention with his sense of humor. Romance percolated, and in October of 1967, they married. At their reception at the Lex, Grace overheard someone ask Dan's mother, Belle, what she thought of Grace. Belle's reply was positive, adding, "She'll take good care of Dan." And she did. Dan was a longtime bachelor who delighted in Franco-American spaghetti and canned peas. Grace added variety, freshness, and nutrition to his diet, though she couldn't stop Dan from reaching for the salt shaker "for acuity." She was an adventuresome cook, known for favorites like bean soup, spaghetti, ham loaf, Asian meatballs, granola, olive tapenade, marinated chicken wings, apple pie, caramel rolls, and even prune bread. Mary was born in 1970. The family moved to their forever home in 1972, shortly before the birth of Ann. Grace took care of the girls until they were well-established in school and then returned to dietetics part-time. As a mom, she was intuitive, supportive, and available. She volunteered at their school and at the Inca exhibit in the old Science Museum of Minnesota. Sensing that Mary could benefit from a little something more, she enrolled her in Suzuki violin lessons. She found an after-school choir for Ann that suited her perfectly. She encouraged both girls to invest their early babysitting earnings. Grace presented interesting options without being demanding. Twenty years ago, Grace survived stage four non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a fact that astounded her - and a few doctors - ever since. In later years, Grace exercised regularly at the YMCA, enjoyed time with her prayer group, attended daily mass at St. Odilia's, and developed a true fondness for ice cream. Once a world traveler, she found joy and comfort in her home and neighborhood. Everything she wanted was within a mile or two! Whether arranging flowers, furniture, or setting a top notch table, Grace made the world a more welcoming and beautiful place. She took loving care of her grandchildren, Soren and Solvej. She tuned into who they were as individuals, as she had with Mary and Ann. For example, she surreptitiously took Soren to a pipe store when he was a young Sherlock Holmes enthusiast and took a delighted Solvej to breakfast at McDonald's for an Egg McMuffin, hashbrowns, OJ - and a DQ for dessert. The kids loved their overnights with Grandma Grace and Grandpa Dan. As Soren and Solvej got older, Grace faithfully attended their violin recitals and performances. She continued to delight in their progress and was so very proud of the beautiful humans they are today. Grace lived a full, happy life. Dan died in August of 2020, and Grace's final years were spent with family close at hand, especially when Ann moved in to care for her with special tenderness and humor. In addition to Dan, Grace is preceded in death by her parents and six siblings: Sr. Carla, Sr. Maribeth, Harold (Pauline), Rita Daniel (John), Earl (Arlene), and Francis (Mary Lou). She is survived by her sister Marion Takes, daughters Ann and Mary, son-in-law Jon Eversoll, grandchildren Soren and Solvej Eversoll, and many nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends. Grace was open and candid, often advising "don't grow old" and telling her sister a few days before she died that she was "tired of this." Though we were not tired of her and never ready for her to go, Grace deserves a rest. She will be forever dearly loved, missed, and remembered. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be on January 2nd at Saint Odilia Catholic Church.

Tributes

Grace Ann Gallagher

September 28, 1934 - August 20, 2025

Tributes

Grace Ann Gallagher

September 28, 1934 - August 20, 2025

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