Kathleen Gratias

On September 4, 2020, Kathleen (Kay) Gratias passed peacefully into eternity with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Kay lived a full and service-filled life for her family, friends, fellow Christians- and even strangers. She was born to Stephen and Rita Beveridge on July 16, 1926, in Barron, Wisconsin. Her brother, Norman, and sister, Dorothy, welcomed her into the family. By high school, she was an outgoing, vibrant cheerleader, and even won a pig calling contest. She decided to go to nursing school and became a registered nurse. After knowing Ronald Gratias for only three months, they married on September 4, 1947, in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and immediately drove cross country to Tacoma, Washington where they resided the rest of their years. They raised three children: Bob, Debbie, and Scott, in Fircrest where they were members of the Fircrest Golf Club for all their able years, playing golf, swimming in the pool, and playing bridge in the clubhouse, making many life-long friends. They also were active members of Central Lutheran Church for several years, making many friends there. Kay especially enjoyed the women's prayer group and various Bible studies. Dancing at the Elks club was also one of their favorite evening activities. As the children grew, they made use of the Fircrest community pool where all three children were members of the Fircrest swim team. Debbie especially took to competitive swimming, so during her nine active swimming years, Kay and Ron became active members of the Tacoma Swim Club parent support group, timing at swim meets and helping produce the team newsletter. They traveled to swim meets in Oregon, California, and Canada to cheer Debbie on. They enjoyed that travel so much that after both retired, they traveled together to Hawaii, Europe, Egypt, and the Holy Land. As their more active years came to a close, they spent more time at home but continued enjoying family get-togethers and their children's growing families. Kay sewed clothes for her grandchildren and knit many sweaters, mittens, and afgans. Always serving and loving her family, Kay, took care of Ron as he became less able to care for himself until he passed away in 2014. After 68 years of marriage, it was a heavy loss for her, but she was confident she would see him one day in heaven with her beloved Savior and his, Jesus Christ. Her final six years were spent close to home, but still enjoying family times and getting to know her great-grandchildren. She also looked forward to her weekly outings to the Pine Cone Cafe nearby with her daughter. All will miss her, but we know she is reunited with Ron and we all will see her again when we are called home to be with Jesus. Well done, Kay. We love you!