Grace Dourte Wolgemuth, cherished wife, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, died on Wednesday, March 17. She was 93.

Grace Beatrice Dourte was born to a farming family in Manheim, Pennsylvania in 1916, the third of eight children. As a teenager, Grace joined the Brethren in Christ church, following the example of her parents and older sisters. There she met Samuel, the man of her dreams, whom she married in 1938 after attending Taylor University.

The first year of their marriage, Grace and Samuel were house-parents for neglected boys at the Children's Aid Society. The next thirteen years, Grace faithfully supported her husband as he pastored the Fairview Avenue Brethren in Christ Church in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, graciously welcoming people into their home and leading programs for children.

In 1952, Grace and Samuel left the Brethren in Christ pastorate and joined the worldwide ministry of Youth for Christ. After selling their house and belongings, Grace, Samuel and their four children moved to Japan to serve as short-term missionaries.

After returning to the states in 1955, Grace, age 39, gave birth to twins. While her husband traveled extensively as the President of Youth for Christ International, Grace gently shepherded the lives of her six children. At the same time, she provided spiritual encouragement and was a powerful support in her husband's work, becoming "Lady Grace" to ministers around the globe.

Even though home was most precious to her, Grace traveled by her husband's side to every continent of the world. With constant prayer and generous hearts, she and Samuel supported Youth for Christ staff, their church and other Christian ministries.

Grace was an accomplished seamstress, skillful gardener, lover of music, and dedicated student of the Bible. Grace memorized large portions of scripture, read her Bible through every year, and taught her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren many Bible verses.

For nearly 30 years, Grace was an active member of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Grace modeled a passion for family, Jesus Christ and His Word.

Grace Dourte Wolgemuth is survived by six children: Ruth Wolgemuth Guillaume (Palatine, IL), Samuel C. Wolgemuth (Coto de Caza, CA), Kenneth G. Wolgemuth (Wheaton, IL), Robert D. Wolgemuth (Orlando, FL), Debbie Wolgemuth Birkey (Oak Park, IL), and Daniel S. Wolgemuth (Aurora, CO); 20 grandchildren: Amy Wolgemuth Bordoni (St. Charles, IL), Stephen Kent Guillaume (St, Charles, IL), Jonathan Lane Guillaume (Arlington Heights, IL), Josie Guillaume Guth (Palatine, IL), G. Robert Wolgemuth (Wheaton, IL), Kristin Wolgemuth Fitzgerald (Naperville, IL), Melissa Wolgemuth Schrader (Charlotte, NC), Katy Wolgemuth Johnson (Austin, TX), Julie Wolgemuth Tassy (Charlotte, NC), Emily Beth Wolgemuth (Austin, TX), Samuel Mark Wolgemuth (Chicago, IL), Andrew Donald Wolgemuth (Aurora, CO), Elizabeth Wolgemuth Wolfmeyer (Washington, DC), Molly Grace Wolgemuth (Naperville, IL), Erik Samuel Wolgemuth (Aurora, CO), Taylor Gene Birkey (Oak Park, IL), Noel Christian Birkey (Oak Park, IL), Alli Wolgemuth Horst (Denver, CO), Marshall Monroe Birkey (Washington, DC), and Kathryn Grace Birkey (Oak Park, IL),; and 27 great grandchildren: Makenzie Lynne Guth, Abigail Grace Schrader, Maddison Marie Guillaume, Mitchell Stephen Guillaume, Luke David Schrader, Austin James Guth, Alec Maxwell Guillaume, Cole Bryant Guillaume, Isaac Thomas Schrader, Katelyn Nicole Guillaume, Cooper Stanley Guillaume, Camryn Grace Guth, Harper Corin Tassy, Eleanor Grace Fitzgerald, Ella Patrice Tassy, Samuel James Guillaume, Grace Elizabeth Guillaume, Liam Samuel Bordoni, Margaret Clare Fitzgerald, Samantha Carol Wolgemuth, Lucinda Jane Fitzgerald, Elliott George Bordoni, Malia Jeanne Wolgemuth, Paige Elizabeth Wolgemuth, Emmaline Hope Johnson, Graham Marc Wolgemuth, Davey Elizabeth Wolgemuth…and three more on the way, that we know of…

Memorial gifts may be sent to The Sam & Grace Wolgemuth Scholarship Fund (for children of missionaries) at Taylor University, Upland, IN 46989; Youth for Christ, International, Post Office Box 4555, Englewood, CO 80155; Youth for Christ, USA, Post Office Box 4478, Englewood, CO 80155; or to The Orchard Evangelical Free Church.

Visitation for friends of the family will be held on Thursday, March 25 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The Orchard Evangelical Free Church, 1330 North Douglas Street, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004. Visitation will also be at the church from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Friday morning, March 26. Services will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday. Interment will be held at Memory Gardens in Arlington Heights, IL.