DAVIDSON, Grace

Grace Ykema Davidson, 85, daughter of Jennie Nagel Ykema and Ben Ykema, went to be with her Lord on January 25, 2004 after a courageous life-long battle with a severe respiratory disease. Born September 12, 1918 in Pease, Minnesota, she is preceded in death by her parents, brother Henry Ykema, and three sisters, Gracie and Agnes Ykema and Ada Ykema DeYoung; and husband Leroy Davidson. Survivors: sister, Henrietta Mooi, Redlands, CA; brothers John Ykema, Broomall PA, Floris Ykema, Spring Lake, MI; children Beverly Taylor, Denver, CO, Stanley Davidson, Scio, OR; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren. Grace devoted her life to glorifying God and serving others. She and her late husband helped start the Phoenix and El Mirage Rescue Missions. A long-time member of First Baptist Church in Glendale, she faithfully served. She was kind, sincere and devoted and her faith brought comfort to those she knew. She cherished her children, grand children, nieces, nephews, siblings and friends, with a loving gentle wit that did not diminish with the years of suffering. In spite of the continued illness, she kept the faith and finished the race, "knowing that suffering produces stick-to-itiveness, and stick-to-itiveness character, and character hope. Now, that Hope, never disappoints, for God's love has been poured into our hearts." Service was Friday, January 30, at Hansen Chapel, 8314 N. 7 St., Phoenix, AZ. Interment at Resthaven Park Cemetery, 6290 W. Northern, Glendale. Donations in lieu of flowers to The Phoenix Rescue Mission, PO Box 6708, Phoenix, AZ 85005 or Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. Published in the Arizona Republic from 1/28/2004 - 1/29/2004.