Grace Sampley Obituary

Grace Cruse Sampley, age 94, of Colorado Springs, was welcomed into the Lord's house on Friday, February 24, 2017 in Fort Collins, Colorado. Grace was born on July 25, 1922 in Masonville, Kentucky and was they only child of Hugh Burton and Anna Reed (Cruse) Burton.

Grace came from a farming family and worked for General Electric in Owensboro at the start of World War II. He mom, Anna Reed, suffered from tuberculosis and Grace was her primary caregiver.

In the early 1940s, her family used gas stamps saved during WWII to drive Anna Reed west towards Phoenix for health reasons. Their gas stamps ran out in Colorado Springs, where they ended up making their new home.

On June 23, 1945, Grace married the love of her life, Ken, and they made their home in Colorado. For sixty years, they owned and operated a thriving tree nursery and landscape company called "Kenny's Nursery" in Security, Colorado. In addition, they owned and operated a "Lil Red Barn" convenience store on the same property. Grace and Ken were recognized as the "Fountain Valley Parade Grand Marshals" in the 1990s.

Grace was an avid Broncos fan. She, along with Ken, were season ticket holders, and together attended several Super Bowls. She enjoyed short getaways to the "hills" (Cripple Creek) and square dancing. Grace was an expert Christmas wreath and bow maker!

Grace was a devout Christian and an active member of First Baptist Church of Colorado Springs and the Christian Workers class until moving to Fort Collins in October of 2011 to live near her son and his family.

Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Ken, last October.

She is survived by her son, Ken (Julie); and her grandchildren, Lauren and Matthew.

Visitation, 12:00PM-1:00PM, followed by a Funeral Service at 1:00PM, Friday, March 3, 2017 at First Baptist Church of Colorado Springs, 317 East Kiowa Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903.

Interment to immediately follow at Evergreen Cemetery, 1005 Hancock Expressway, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903.