Grace Louise Aavang

VERONA - Grace Louise Aavang, age 104, of Verona, passed away on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at SSM Health St. Mary's Care Center. She was born on August 10, 1920, in Madison, the daughter of Adolph and Ethel (Scott) Bischoff.

Grace graduated from Mount Horeb High School in 1938 and then attended Groves Barnhart Secretarial College, graduating in 1940. She married Wilbert A. Lienhardt in 1945 and Clifford Aavang in 1982, both preceded her in death.

Grace and Wilbert operated People’s Market in Madison with her parents from 1949 until 1959 while commuting from New Glarus, Wis. After selling the grocery store in 1959, they moved to Madison. They joined Westminster Church where Grace became active serving in the choir, Women’s Guild as president and working in the office as secretary-receptionist.

In 1982, she married Clifford Aavang and then moved to Mount Horeb and joined Evangelical Lutheran Church serving in the choir as well as volunteering in church activities.

During her secretarial career, Grace worked at Allstate Claims then transferred to Sears Contract Sales until the operation was moved to Skokie, Ill., in 1979. She was then employed at S. Stanton Davis Enterprises and Hegg Accounting Corporation since 1980 until her retirement in June 2000. After retiring, Grace became a volunteer at McFarland Senior Outreach Office, was caregiver for ladies at Skaalen Home in Stoughton, helping them enjoy a good quality of life in their later years.  

Grace is survived by her two sons, Steven (Diane) Lienhardt of Madison and Thomas (Rojene) Lienhardt of Fitchburg; grandsons, Ryan (Dr. Lindsay) Geier of Verona, Tyler (Hallie) Lienhardt of Madison, Dylan (Mattie) Lienhardt of Oregon, and Nate (Gini) Kosharek of Oregon; and great-grandchildren, Brady and Lauren Geier, Lucia and Nikos Lienhardt, Piper and Charlie Lienhardt and Miles and Rae Kosharek. She is further survived by her stepdaughter, Diane Woodbury (Aavang) of Janesville and her two children, Jason (Tammy) Woodbury and Lindsey Woodbury; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Adolph and Ethel Bischoff; sister, Olive (Dr. William) Black; brother, Delbert Bischoff; an infant sister, Bonnie Belle Bischoff; and stepson, Douglas Aavang.

A memorial service will be held at EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 315 E. Main St., Mount Horeb, at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 11, 2024, with Pastor John Twiton presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Private burial will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison, in the family plot.

Special thanks to Pastor John Twiton for his years of faithful guidance and support, SSM Health St. Mary’s Care Center and hospice for their kind and compassionate care.

“Amazing Gracie” will not be forgotten.

She was very proud of her family and loved them dearly.

Her favorite saying was, “A Friend in Need, is a Friend Indeed.” And when asked how she was doing, her response was always “Pretty good for the shape I’m in.”
 

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb
Funeral & Cremation Care
500 N. Eighth St.
(608) 437-5077