Grace Ellen (Raser) Bert, age 83, of Camp Hill, PA and formerly of Upland, CA, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, July 29, 2024 in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, PA. Grace was born on Friday, September 20, 1940, at home in Waukee, Dallas County, Iowa to the late Jacob Raser and Etta (Packard) Raser. She will be remembered as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.
Grace is survived by her husband of 58 years, Asa Bert of Camp Hill, PA; her three daughters: Karla Bert of Camp Hill, PA; Dawna Hess (Peter) of Airville, PA; and Linda Shields (Nathan) of Mechanicsburg, PA, along with grandchildren Micah Hess (Kaitlyn) of Dillsburg, PA, Esther Hess, Ezra Hess, Samuel Hess, Anderson Shields and Ruth Hess. She is also survived by her brothers: Raymond Raser (Gail) of Escondido, CA; Glen Raser (Joyce) of Hummelstown, PA; and Carl Raser (Jane, deceased) of Claremont, CA and numerous nieces and nephews.
Grace was raised on the family farm in Iowa. She graduated from Waukee Community School in 1958 followed by a year working in Des Moines, IA. She then headed to California to attend Upland College. After graduating with a degree in English with teaching credentials she taught first grade in Ontario, CA for 5 years. Grace and Asa were married on December 18, 1965, after initially meeting at Upland College, and last year celebrated 58 years of marriage. She became a mother in 1969 and transitioned from being a teacher to being a homemaker. As her three daughters grew, she volunteered in their school through the PTA, tutored students in English as a second language, and substituted in the school district as a teacher and secretary. In 1988, this led to the opportunity to work full-time as the school secretary at Foothill Knolls Elementary School for 14 years. She was passionate about her job and was known for her diligence and competence.
Grace was greatly loved and appreciated in the way she served her family, her church and her community throughout the years. She was a long-time member at Upland Brethren in Christ Church. During her time there, she managed the library for over 40 years, volunteered with the Wednesday night children’s club, and distributed meals through Angel Food Ministry. Retirement allowed her to exercise her hobbies to serve others. Grace sewed over 10,000 fabric school bags, bought supplies and filled them for children around the world through MCC. She also crocheted prayer shawls for the sick and bereaved which brought comfort to many. Grace volunteered at the local MCC thrift store stocking and organizing the books which leveraged her skills in library science.
Grace had a love of traveling that extended her whole life. She and Asa purchased their first RV in 1981 which led to many travel adventures with the family including multiple cross-country trips visiting national and state parks and many family and friends. Her state-side adventures resulted in visiting all 50 states and seeing all 15 presidential libraries to date from Hoover to GW Bush. In retirement, she traveled overseas for the first-time including Europe, South and Central America, China, the Caribbean, and the Holy Land.
Grace enjoyed a variety of hobbies in her free time. She loved games including a monthly bridge club with the teachers, card games with the camping club, and game days with the family. She could often be found in the mornings doing the daily crossword with a cup of hot cocoa. She was sharp and quick until her last days learning complicated strategy games with her grandchildren, playing (winning) scrabble with her brothers and taking pride at her Jeopardy expertise. In the quiet moments she could be found reading a new book nearly every other day, doing jigsaw puzzles or working on her cross stitch projects which now are proudly hung in the homes of her loved ones.
Grace enjoyed baking and provided hot meals on the table every night. Many of her recipes have been passed down to her daughters and grandchildren. She had a sweet tooth and was known for loving skittles and finding treats in surprising places like a bag of chocolate chips or a fresh made batch of frosting spread on graham crackers. She would slip pop tarts to the grandkids who also managed to be at Grandma’s at just the right time for the daily 3 pm ice cream break.
She had a hearty laugh, optimistic perspective, and worry-free attitude. She was always available for late night chats full of listening, laughing, praying and wise advice as well as storytelling with the grandkids. She was always steady and dependable in her relationships and consistently could be seen at Asa’s side around town. She loved genuinely and served others in little everyday ways; a kind word, a smile, a helping hand reflecting her love for Jesus.
Grace will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.
Grace will be interred at Air Hill Brethren in Christ Church cemetery in Chambersburg, PA. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on September 21, 2024 at Mechanicsburg Brethren in Christ Church, 1050 South York Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. Time to be announced by the family. All are welcome.
Contributions in celebration of Grace’s life can be made to MCC School Kits.
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