Grace S. (Hammesfahr) Howe

Grace (“Gracie”) Susan Howe, 71, of Whitestown, IN, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on September 26, 2022. She was born September 14, 1951, to the late Ernest, and Grace Hammesfahr, in Howard Beach, NY, and spent her childhood in Metuchen, NJ with her siblings: Gail, Ernie, and Madeline.

She graduated from Bucknell University where she met Harry Howe, her husband of 50 years. She and Harry have one daughter, Abigail Toyer, of Spring Arbor, MI, who is married to Jeremy Toyer, and has six grandchildren: Joshua (19), Jared (18), Jonathan (16), Joy (13), Joel (11), and Joseph (9). Gracie adored her grandchildren and spent as much time as possible investing in their lives, including a “Camp Grandma” one summer.

Next to her grandchildren, her passion was children’s music. A number of young musicians got their start under her mentorship and many others developed their appreciation for music. And still others have stories to tell of their role in one of her musicals. Gracie and Harry worked side-by-side in children’s ministry, primarily Awana, for forty years.

In 2018, Gracie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, which over time, tightened its grip on her body and curtailed her ministry and travels. She especially missed her crafting and trips to their cabin in the Adirondacks that included summer friends on the lakes.

She is survived by her husband, Harry Howe; daughter, Abigail (Jeremy) Toyer; mother, Grace Hammesfahr; grandchildren; Joshua, Jared, Jonathan, Joy, Joel, and Joseph Toyer; sister, Gail (Edward) Nestlerode; brother, Ernest (Kathy) Hammesfahr; sister, Madeline (Stuart) Harris; and sister-in-law, Linda Kanazaki.

Family and friends will gather on Saturday, October 1, at 11:00 am for viewing, and a Celebration of Life Service immediately following at 1:00 pm, in Soma Northwest Church, 7301 Georgetown Road, Suite 150, Indianapolis, IN 46268.

Donations in memory of Gracie, may be made to Soma Northwest Church https://www.somanorthwest.com/give or the Indiana Parkinson’s Foundation https://www.indianaparkinson.org/donate-to-ipf/ . Envelopes will also be available at the service.

Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family with arrangements.

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