Grace E. Starns, 94 of Ashland, NE passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2024 in Ashland, NE.  She was born September 4, 1929 in St. Louis, MO to Herman and Elizabeth (Schutte) Kunz.  She attended Holy Cross Elementary, Roosevelt High School and Harris Teachers College all in St. Louis, MO.  She also attended UNO and Nursing School in Omaha but opted out since she was getting married.  She was united in marriage to Del Starns on April 16, 1960 in Omaha.  From this union four children were born, David, Gail, and twins, John & Joel.

In her earlier years, Grace worked as a legal secretary for law offices both in Omaha and St. Louis, but her passion for education came as a para educator at Ashland-Greenwood Public Schools for over 30 years.

Grace was a member of American Lutheran Church and Women of the ELCA.  She was a volunteer worker for many organizations including one of the first volunteers in the Team Mates mentoring program and a retired driver for Helping Wheels.  She enjoyed embroidering, reading, crossword puzzles, word searches, jigsaw puzzles, and bingo.  She especially loved spending time with her family.

Grace is survived by her husband, Del Starns; children, David (Rose) Starns, Gail Strate, John (Anita) Starns, Joel (Dian) Starns; grandchildren, Evan (Lacey) & Nolan (Ashley) Welch, Kenzie (Cody) Lambert, Quentin (Mariah), Branson, Halle, & Nick Starns, Vanessa (Danny) Snyder, Nicole (Blake) Rohlfing; great-grandchildren, Aurora, Lucy, Olive, Winnie, Camden, Cade & Ava Welch, Finley Snyder, Truett Starns, Makenna, Callie & Maddyn Rohlfing; sister, Dorothy (Vern) Cornish; sisters-in-law, Linda (Dave) Luhr & Gloria Kunz; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her infant granddaughter, Rachel Starns; parents, Herman and Elizabeth Kunz; brothers, Charles & Willis Kunz; sister, Jean (Eldon) Dieckgrafe; parents-in-law, Dr. H.F. and Lillian Starns; brother-in-law, John (Betty) Starns; sister-in-law, Sarah (George) Morrison.