Grace Wrape

Grace Elizabeth Hiegel Wrape died Tuesday, December 15 at the age of 95 in Fayetteville, AR surrounded by family care-givers. She loved Arkansas, and it was a blessing that her final days were in her beloved home state.

Grace was born to Albert and Mary Elizabeth Barfield Hiegel September 9, 1925 in Conway, AR. Grace was always a Conway girl at heart and lived there until she attended nursing training at St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock. She remained in Little Rock after her graduation as an RN, and soon met the love of her life, Al Wrape, on a life-changing blind date. They were engaged six weeks later and married on April 18, 1949 at St. Joseph’s Church in Conway. They had eight children and were married 65 years. She and Al moved to Kansas City, MO in 2010 to live at Kingswood Retirement Home.

Grace was a devout Catholic and a life-long member of the Secular Order of Mount Carmel. She and Al were long-time parishioners at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church. She spent uncounted hours volunteering and participating in many capacities at the parish and grade school, which all eight children attended. She was one of the founders of the Bridge Circle and was well-known as an accomplished player. She patiently taught many to play her cherished game for their enjoyment. In their retirement years, she and Al dedicated much of their time engaging with and traveling to see grandchildren and great-grandchildren scattered across the country.

Grace was predeceased by her parents and two sisters, as well as one grandchild, Vincent Paul Lee. She is survived by eight children, Aloysius John Wrape, III (Rita) of Corinth TX, MaryBeth (Gilbert) Johnson of Springdale, AR, Regina (Walter) Stephens of Fayetteville, AR, Rosemarie (Greg) Peckham and Theresa (Dennis) Lee of Little Rock, AR, Grace (Charles) Barth of Leawood, KS, Raymond (Patrice) Wrape of Parker, CO, and Victoria (Greg) Muehlebach of Prairie Village, KS; as well as 32 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren.

Grace will be greatly missed by these as well as many old and new friends she made and kept close over the years.  She was amazingly compassionate and generous, a fabulous cook, vivacious and witty, and made everyone she encountered feel special. All were welcome in her kitchen to “Eat at Mimi’s”. She was the light of her Assisted Living group and was known and dearly loved by Kingswood residents and care-givers alike.

The family extends its deep appreciation to all her loving caretakers, nurses, and staff at Kingswood in Kansas City, and Circle of Life Hospice in Fayetteville, but especially to daughters Gracie Barth and Vicki Muehlebach and their families for their loving and selfless care for Al and Grace in Kansas City for over 10 years.

A private Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock on January 22. A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Carmelite Fathers at Marylake Monastery, 5151 Marylake Drive, Little Rock, AR 72206 or Christ the King Catholic Church, 8510 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64114.

Grace’s online guestbook may be signed at www.smithfamilycares.com.