Obituary - Minerva Grace (Raymond) Killian

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Longtime area resident Grace R. Killian passed away Saturday, Nov. 20, 2004, at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital. She was 85. 

A memorial service will be held Thursday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m., at St. Ann Catholic Church. The Rev. Robert E. Gamel will officiate. Inurnment will be at Desert Memorial Park. 

Mrs. Killian was born Oct. 23, 1919, in Broken Bow, Neb. Her parents, two brothers and one sister moved west in the 1940s. She eventually met and married Martin "Pat" Killian in 1943 and settled in Trona. 

She was an especially lovable person with a vibrant personality who developed many friendships in Ridgecrest and the Searles Valley. She was easily recognized by her signature white hair. She enjoyed Bible study and was an American Cancer Society volunteer as her health permitted. She also enjoyed activities at the High Desert Haven. 

The family appreciated the care and concern provided by High Desert Haven, Ridgecrest Regional Hospital, Ridgecrest Healthcare Center, the American Cancer Society, and the wonderful cooperation and care of Dr. Cornelius van der Hoek, as well as many friends who supported and assisted her. 

The family requests donations in her memory be made to the American Cancer Society, 129 E. Ridgecrest Blvd., Ridgecrest, CA 93555 or to St. Ann Catholic Church. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ned E. and Mable Street Raymond; sister, Nina Schmidgall; and her husband of 59 years, Martin Patrick "Pat" Killian, who passed away Feb. 2, 2002. 

She is survived by a brother and wife, Stacy and Perline Raymond of Fresno; brother-in-law and wife, Bernard and Marie Killian of Cape Coral, Fla.; nine nieces, Norma Schmidgall Read of Prescott, Ariz.; Stephanie Raymond Williams of Fresno; Pamela Raymond George of Fresno; Phyllis Merriman Miles of Omaha, Neb.; Kathy Merriman Mellor of Omaha, Neb.; Mary Merriman Reff of Anchorage, Alaska; Patricia Merriman Sorensen of Omaha, Neb.; Linda Merriman of Omaha, Neb.; and Shelly Merriman Schelman of Omaha, Neb.; three nephews, Marty Merriman of Omaha, Neb.; Bernard P. Hall of Oklahoma City, Okla.; and George M. Hall of Oklahoma City, Okla. 

Private cremation, arrangements and media information provided by Holland & Lyons Mortuary, 371-1376.