Grace Fannie (Johnson) Schantz was born January 24, 1935, at home near Detroit Lakes, MN, the youngest of twelve children, to George N. and Ida Mae (Holdeman) Johnson and passed away Sunday, November 17, 2024, surrounded by her family, after a short stay at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City, at the age of 89 years, 9 months and 24 days.

Grace lived with her parents until their deaths when she was still young.  After being moved between several older brothers, she eventually settled with her brother, Ralph and his family in Casselton, ND.  There she accepted Christ as her Savior at age 9, was baptized, and joined the Casselton Mennonite Church.  She attended school at Casselton until her senior year when she attended Hesston Academy in Hesston, KS.  While working at a hospital in Wichita, KS, she met Dean Schantz of Hydro, OK.  They were married in Casselton, ND on November 9, 1954.  They made their home on the Schantz family farm north of Hydro where they raised three children, Debora, Merlin and Steven, as well as fostering several more.

Grace was always involved in church including teaching Sunday School, Bible School, helping with quilting bees, and making crafts.  Dean and Grace participated with Mennonite Disaster Service for many years.  On these trips, Grace would help where needed whether it was cooking, cleaning, or assisting with building efforts.  When not working at the church, or cooking for the harvest crew, Grace enjoyed crafts, painting, and refurbishing furniture.  After the children were all grown, Grace worked for a number of years at Maple Lawn Nursing Home as the Activities Director.  Grace always enjoyed working in her flower garden.  In later years, she continued to work in her flower beds until she was no longer physically able to.  In the last several years, Grace enjoyed reading and working on puzzles.

Grace's faith was a huge part of who she was.  It was not unusual for the family to come in and see her praying with her Bible on her lap.  She would tell the grandchildren that she was praying for them every time they came to see her or she talked with them on the phone.  She enjoyed the great-grandchildren and they were always welcome to come in and play with her toys.  She was an example to those around her through her words and actions throughout her time here on earth.

Grace is survived by her children, Debora (Anthony) Hooper of Oklahoma City, OK, Merlin (Lillian) Schantz of Hydro, OK and Steven Schantz of Lake St. Louis, MO; nine grandchildren, Larisa (Jason) Nelson, Kent (Amanda) Hooper, Denise (Adrian) Titsworth, Beth (Kurtis) Richert, Jana (Matthew) Machniak, Ben (Sarah) Schantz, Aaron (Kaylee) Schantz, Jospeh (Courtney) Schantz and Danny Schantz; as well as twenty-three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews; as well as other extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dean; siblings; daughter-in-law, Linda; and adopted daughter, Lea.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the NetMenders Ministry/Tom McConn, 971 Halsey Ave SE, Buffalo, MN 55312.