Grace Fort

April 23, 1942 - March 2, 2022

Grace M Fort, 79, of Oskaloosa and formerly of Ottumwa, passed away Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. She was born on April 23, 1942, in Peabody, MA, to Laurence and Florence (Slater) Cooper. Grace married Melton Lee Fort on February 4, 1960, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. To this union four children were born, Teresa, Rick, Bill, and Robert. Melton preceded her in death on July 7, 2000. Grace worked at the Days Inn in Ottumwa and the Mahaska Hospital in Oskaloosa. She was a member of the Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. She enjoyed playing cards, working jigsaw and crossword puzzles, gardening and tending to her houseplants. Her greatest joy was her family, she always looked forward to family get togethers or a visit from her children and grandchildren. She was a lifelong animal lover and enjoyed the company of many pets over the years. Grace is survived by her children, Rick (Carol) Fort of Ottumwa, Bill (Ann) Fort of Burlington, and Robert L Fort of Oskaloosa, Larry VanZee (Teresa’s widower) of Oskaloosa; grandchildren, Joe (Laura) VanZee, Jessica (Aaron) Allspach, Carrie Mendibles, Chloe (Jason) Benson, Anna (Shane) Peters, Mason Fort, Fisher Fort, Levi (Allison) Ruth, Jacob (Journey) Ruth, Izaac (Jenna) Ruth, and Phoenix Fort; great-grandchildren, Mackenzie Overbergen, Kaylee Gripp, Payton VanZee, Kaden VanZee, Harper Allspach, Palmer Allspach, Asa Ruth, Raina Ruth, Emersyn Ruth, River Ruth, Erinnie Mendibles, Sophia Mendibles, Maggie Beason, Ryder Benson and Hudson Peters. In addition to her husband, Grace was preceded in death by her daughter, Teresa VanZee, a grandson Zachary Fort, and five siblings. Funeral services will be held Monday, March 7, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Pastor Alvern Boetsma officiating. Burial will be in the Ottumwa Cemetery. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Sunday at 11:00 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel. The family will be at the funeral chapel Sunday, March 6, 2022, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.