Marguerite Elaine Grau

Marguerite Elaine Grau, age 81, passed away on April 25, 2020. She is survived by her two children: son, Kurt Grau (Paula) and daughter, Gretchen Grau. Marguerite was born in Torrance, Calif., to Raymond and Caroline Thomas. She grew up in Cheshire, Ohio ,where she graduated high school. After graduation she moved to Salinas, Calif., to take care of her grandmother. During that time she worked in the library. One weekend in 1959, she went on a blind date with Leonard Grau while he was on leave from Coos Bay, Ore., in the National Guard. They married on Jan. 22, 1960, in Reno, Nev., and she moved to Alaska to begin a new adventure. They raised two children, Kurt Thomas Grau and Gretchen Lenore Grau, and have two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Marguerite was a stay-at-home mom, raising two children. When they were old enough for school, she volunteered teaching drama at the elementary school where they attended. Being an ambitious teacher, she staged a number of Shakespeare plays. Her students were up to the challenge and delighted many. As her children got older, she started working at the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau. During that time, she kept busy with conventions and helping many visitors to the state. She was a member of Pioneers of Alaska Igloo 4 in Anchorage and Igloo 11 in Palmer, Alaska, the General Federation of Women's Clubs Anchorage and Nome, Alaska, and the Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska. When Leonard retired, they moved to Wasilla, Alaska, and found many friends in members of the Valley Garden Club. A Celebration of Life will be held on 2 p.m. on Sept. 10, 2022, at Farm Loop Christian Center, 5900 Farm Loop Road in Palmer, Alaska.