Grace Van Diest passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, November 22 at the Rocky Mountain Care Center following years-long declining health and Alzheimer’s disease. A longtime resident of Helena, Grace Sternberg was born in Poplar Township, Minnesota on April 1, 1922. Her parents, Adolph “Ed” Sternberg and Gertrude Emilie-Alfreda (nee Andre), were of German descent and raised their seven children in Minnesota before moving west. During the Great Depression Adolph Sternberg was hired as a building supervisor for the Fort Peck Dam Project, so the Sternberg family came to Montana with their six youngest children. While working on the Fort Peck Dam, the family lived in New Deal enduring eastern Montana’s frigid winters and searing hot summers before continuing their westward trek to Helena.
Due to the 1935 earthquakes, Helena needed experienced craftsmen. The Sternberg Family arrived in Helena on July 4, 1936. Grace remembered the exact day she arrived because the family had to wait for Helena’s exceptional Independence Day parade before reaching their new home. Because the quakes destroyed the high school, Grace was among the students who attended school in railroad cars, finally graduating in May 1940. Shortly after graduation, she met Clarence Victor Van Diest, a soldier destined for a WWII post in the Pacific Theater. Grace and Clarence were married on July 19, 1942 and raised their four children in Helena until his death in 1994. As with most Helena families of the time, the Van Diest and Sternberg families were profoundly touched by WWII. All of Grace’s eligible brothers and brothers-in-law enlisted in the military and fought in the Pacific or European Theaters.
After the war ended, Grace and Clarence built their first house on Davis Street. They continually updated the construction on their home, gardened and canned, and contributed to their community. In the early 1970s they sold their home on Davis Street and built a home in Lump Gulch, outside of Clancy, that became the primary gathering place for their extended family.
While in her prime, Grace worked in various retail sales and tailoring capacities. She worked most recently at the New York Store, Village Brownstone and the Mary Moore Shop on Last Chance Gulch. She officially retired in 1992 and devoted her available time to charity work at the First Lutheran Church and the Senior Center. A talented and accomplished seamstress, Grace made quilts for the needy through the Dorcas Circle and Mary Martha Guild, working until her arthritis would no longer allow it.
Grace Sternberg Van Diest is predeceased by her parents; husband; infant son Wayne Victor Van Diest; and the following siblings: Ellen Burlingame, Adolph “Dates” Sternberg, Alfred “Al” Sternberg and Irvin Sternberg. She is survived by siblings Maynard “Bud” Sternberg of Helena and Lorna Van Dongen of New Mexico. Surviving children and their spouses include Ronald and Linda Van Diest of East Helena; Roger and Carol Van Diest of Splendora, TX; Penny and Raymond Killham of East Helena; and Pamela and John Worster of Helena. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and many dozens of Sternberg and Van Diest relatives throughout the Helena area.
A memorial service is planned for spring 2015. Please visit below offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Grace.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Freddi Haab-Fiedler says
Linda – I am sorry for your loss. You will be in my prayers and thoughts.
Karole Lee says
To the Van Diest family ~ I am so sorry for your loss. I am fortunate to live in the home that Clarence and Grace built on Lump Gulch in Clancy, and I absolutely love this home. I had always hoped that Clarence and Grace, before their deaths, could have visited. I am of German descent as well, and it was as though this home was built for me. My very best wishes to the Van Diest family.
Jerry L. Maier says
From all the Maiers in Milwaukee we offer our deepest sympathy for your loss. We always had wonderfull memeories of Aunt Grace.
Kathleen Bartman says
To the Van Diest Family:
My mother let me know of the passing of Mrs. Van Diest. Growing up right up the street from her, I spent much time with Pam and her sewing up a storm. I truly believe that is where I got my passion for perfection with my quilting and sewing in general. She was always a fixture at First Lutheran Church during my youth, as well. She truly lived a very full life and God is looking forward to welcoming her Home. Job well done, My Servant.
Dennis Donovan says
To : Ron, Roger, Penney and Pam
My memories of your family only extend thru our shared years on S Davis in Helena . Ron and I were fellow “boys in the hood”. In those early years there were lots of boys but Ron and I shared a “special bond”.
Remember Grace as a good and loving mother with a strong belief in God through her German Lutheran tradition . Remember how much sweat equity her and Clarence sunk into that home . They left it much, much better than they found it .
May Grace be in the company of those who have went before her, in the mansion God has prepared for them .
Speaking for the Donovan family, all of whom are who are deceased except me ; you are all in our thoughts and prayers .