GRACE ANN HALL WALLING | News, Sports, Jobs

FEBRUARY 20, 1933 — NOVEMBER 27, 2022

Grace was born to William George Hall of North Ogden, Utah and Dorothea Mildred Allan Hall of Canton Center, Hartford, Connecticut at Thomas D. Dee Memorial Hospital 24th Street and Harrison Blvd. Ogden, Utah.

Grace lived in three different houses in Ogden while growing up. She attended Polk Elementary School 2615 Polk Ave.; Central Junior High School, 2563 Monroe Blvd.; (Class of 1950) Ogden High School, 2828 Harrison Blvd. all in Ogden.; Weber Academy at 25th St, and Adams Blvd. Ogden; and University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah graduating with a BA in Education.

She held a variety of jobs. She worked for her father at his warehouse on the corner of 24th St. and Wall Ave. at the Interstate Terminal Warehouse and Utah Wholesale Grocery Co. which her father was General Manager. She worked as a shoe model at LR Samuel’s Shoe Store between 24th and 25th St. on Washington Blvd. As a student teacher, she taught at different schools in Ogden and Salt Lake City.

After Graduation from U of U, Grace moved out to San Diego, California to teach 3rd Grade for 6 months. At that time, as she told the story, teachers had to sign a 3-year contracts. The only way out of a contract was to die or get married. She had a teacher friend who was dating a Naval Officer out of San Diego Naval Base. That friend arranged a blind date for Grace. Kirt and Grace continued courting through letters that Kirt would write while deployed on sea duty. Grace mentioned that she fell in love with him through his letters.

Later on, Kirt asked Grace if she would like to make their relationship more of a permanent arrangement. Even though that wasn’t what she expected as a marriage proposal, she said yes. Kirt was being stationed at the Pentagon and he asked her if she would agree to move out to Washington DC with him prior to the wedding. When she asked her dad for advice, he said, “Well you got a ring, if things don’t work out, you could always sell the ring!”

On March 13, 1962, Kirt and Grace became married at First Presbyterian Church at 880 28th St. Ogden, Utah. Their honeymoon was celebrated at Ogden. Afterwards, they both drove back to Washington DC so that Kirt could resume his job at the Pentagon.

Grace went with Kirt to the following duty stations after Washington DC: San Diego, California

Newport, Rhode Island

Camp Des Loges, Paris, France Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany Newport, Rhode Island Albuquerque, New Mexico

Kirt retired from the Navy after 31 years of service in 1977.

Grace’s Mother passed away in 1978. Afterwards, Grace inherited her parents home in Ogden, Utah. Soon after the decision was made to move to Ogden. Kirt wanted to have a more functional home, so he initiated a total remodel of the home. This remodeling would happen in stages over a span of many years to the house that now exists today.

Grace’s accomplishments after a naval wife’s career were,

60-year Member of Woman’s Organization Chapter “P” PEO

30 plus years teaching tap dancing to her “Golden Girls Troupe” at the Golden Hours Senior Center in Ogden, Utah.

Grace and Kirt were big supporters for the Arts throughout Utah.

34 years of attending and supporting Utah Shakespeare Theater and Festival in Cedar City, Utah where Kirt and Grace received the Beverly Taylor Sorenson Award. In the Engelstad Shakespeare Theater, there is a vestibule named after them.

They also supported Hale Theaters both in West Valley City and Draper Utah locations, Ellen Eccles Theater in Logan, Utah, Eccles Theater, Capital Theater, and Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah, Utah State University, University of Utah, and Weber State University Performing Arts where there is a theater costume shop named after Grace Ann Hall Walling.

Kirt and Grace donated towards Ogden High School’s auditorium renovation.

Grace is proceeded in death by her husband, Eugene Kirtley Walling, and her mother and father.

She is survived by her son, David George (Dana Ree) Walling, her brother-in-law, Jack Hugh (Shirley) Walling, sister-in-law, Norma Sue (Eugene) Klingler, sister-in-law, Geraldine ( Jeri) Elaine Rebar. Grandchildren: Jeffrey (Jef) Scott Bryan, Jessica Ree Bryan, Benjamin (Ben) Michael (Kaitlin) Walling, Michelle MaRee (Brayden Schrock) Walling, Michael (Mike) Tyree Walling, Alexander (Alex) Jeffrey Walling, Jackson Eugene Walling, and Braden Ree Walling. There are 8 great grandchildren: Fallon Bryan, Quinn Bryan, Silas Bryan, Xylia Campbell, Madden Brakefield, Harper Walling, Emmalyn Walling, and Oliver Walling.

The family would like to thank the Ogden City Fire Dept. and Ambulance for taking good care of Grace being transported to McKay Dee Hospital, Ogden Utah and back home again.

McKay Dee Emergency Staff, Surgical Staff, and Surgical Recovery Wing Staff for the excellent care of Grace during her stay.

Applegate Hospice Staff for their superior level of service for Grace’s end of life care. She was maintained in comfort and dignity.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations in Grace’s name to, Shriners Children’s in Salt Lake City. https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/locations/salt-lake-city/about-us/ways-to-give

Mortuary services will be held at Leavitt’s Mortuary, 836 36th St. Ogden, Utah at 2:00 pm on Thursday, December 8th, 2022. A wake/reception will follow at 3460 Polk Ave. Ogden, Utah.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.leavittsmortuary.com

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