Heaven received a new angel when Grace (Haynes) Devins, 96 years old, died on Monday January 9, 2017 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.  Although her life was filled with challenges and adversity, Grace always overcame them through faith, giving, love for family, amazing strength and determination.

Grace was born on March 7, 1920 in Plano, Idaho to Isaac N Haynes (Kentucky) and Agnes M. Sauer (Idaho).  Soon after, her family moved to Sugar City, Idaho.  She was the second oldest of five children:  Juanita, Grace, Joe, Ruth and Nell.

Early on Grace learned the importance of hard work and was one tough, stubborn, amazing lady all the way to the end.  Grace lost her mother at a very young age and soon found her role as mother, cook, house-keeper, and farm-hand at their two bedroom house/farm that they grew up on in Sugar City, Idaho.  Along with her three sisters (as their brother enlisted in the Navy just before World War II), they stacked hay, weeded potatoes, loaded sugar beets to take to the Sugar City Factory, and cared for the animals.  She graduated from Sugar Salem High School in 1937 and went on to complete her Registered Nursing (R.N) degree.

Grace met her eternal love, a handsome Doctor from Kansas City, Missouri (Dr. Sidney B. Devins), while she was studying to be a Registered Nurse (R.N.) and he was completing his Medical Residency at the LDS Hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho.  They married August 31, 1941 and moved back to Sid's home town (Kansas City) so that he could practice medicine with his brother (E.A Devins).  Together they had two beautiful children, Samuel Baer Devins (a momma's boy) and Jo Ann Devins (the apple of her father's eye).

In July, 1956, the family took a much needed vacation to visit family in Idaho.  On July 11th, Samuel asked his father and Uncle Joe to take him fishing for his 14th birthday.  Unfortunately, a tragic boat accident occurred on the Chester Dam in Saint Anthony and all three lost their lives.  Grace's world came to a halt.  Through her strength and will-power to raise her daughter, she picked herself up, moved back to Idaho, and started working as an R.N. at the LDS Hospital and later Idaho Falls Surgical Center.

Grace became a committed and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving in various capacities in the church.  She served an LDS mission at the Family History Center in Salt Lake from 1996 to 1997 and gained a love and passion for Genealogy through her service.  She gained many compassionate friends through her ward who continued to watch over her and love her.

Through Grace's strength and commitment first and fore-most as a mother, she raised an amazing daughter, Jo Ann Devins, who later married Gary Braun. Gary and Jo Ann had three daughters: Lori, Debbie, and Becky.  As you could imagine, Grace stepped up again as the world's greatest Grandma and later Great-Grandma.  She was the center of her three granddaughters' universe and in return she was and always will be the center of theirs.  Her granddaughters played many sports, and as you can imagine, Grace (along with her daughter Jo Ann) NEVER missed a game – moving her work schedule around or working nights as needed just so she would not miss even one.

She was an amazing cook and perfected Lemon Meringue Pie, Banana Cream Pie, and Cheesecake, just to name a few.  She was a "giver" and NEVER a "taker", helping so many, including her oldest sister Juanita who battled breast cancer, as well as SO many others who needed her help and nurturing care.  She loved to knit, travel, read (especially History), play cards, and Yahtzee with her Great-Grandchildren. She was a part of all family vacations, and recently traveled to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and floated the Salmon River at the age of 93.

Grace was honest, patient, humble, kind, and a strong believer in her faith and family.  She was strongly independent, mowing her lawn and driving up to the age of 92.  She survived breast-cancer and was a Mother, Mother-in-Law, Grandma, and Great-Grandma that was "tough as nails", stubborn, and yes ….opinionated.  Her family and faith were her "energy" and "lights of her life" and her legacy of love and memories will live in all of us forever.

Although we will greatly miss her here on earth, we know she is at peace and embraced by her husband (Sid), son (Sammy), and likely playing pinochle with her parents, sisters, brother, and brother-in-law's in heaven.

Grace is survived by her daughter Jo Ann Braun (Gary) of Star Valley, WY; three grandchildren Lori Savoy (Mark) of Anaconda MT, Debbie Green (Dave) of Pocatello ID, Becky Crystal (Travis) of Rigby ID; and 8 great-grandchildren:  Nate Green, Zach Dahlquist, Scott Green, Anthony Savoy, Andy Savoy, Aspen Hill (Wade), Logan Crystal, and Bailee Crystal.

She was preceded in death by her parents Isaac and Agnes, husband Sidney Devins, son Samuel Devins, brother Joe Haynes, three sisters Juanita Blake, Nell Zollinger, and Ruth Tuckett.

We will all miss you.  We know you are in heaven with all of your loved ones looking down on us...until we meet again…THANK YOU & WE LOVE YOU!

Per Grace's wishes, a private service will occur on Saturday January 14th.  She will be laid to rest between her husband and son at the Sugar City Cemetery.  Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.coltrinmortuary.com