Richard Clare Brace

Richard Clare Brace, 83, of Diamondhead, Hot Springs, Arkansas, went to his heavenly home, February 25, 2014. He was born at home, January 9, 1931, in Janesville, Wisconsin, to Stewart and Ada Brace. After High School, 1949, he married his first wife and they raised their son and daughter. He was employed by General Motors Assembly Division for 30 years. Using his carpentry skills in home construction and remodeling as well as buying buildings to be restored which were then rented and resold, gave him much pleasure and enjoyment. He and his wife, Uta, moved to Diamondhead, Hot Springs, in 1999. He thoroughly enjoyed his retirement years, especially traveling, golf, and working outside with landscaping, always putting his creative ideas to good use. Richard had a very strong Christian faith. He belonged to First Lutheran Church, Hot Springs, and had been a Lutheran Christian all his life. God gifted him with leadership and teaching skills which he used in churches that he was a member of. He served as elder, usher, member of the church council, lay preacher, Bible Study leader, and member of a steering commission made up of pastors and lay persons in order to form the TAALC Synod. Singing in the church choir gave him much joy, and he loved to entertain with is sense of humor. Many loved him and will miss him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stewart W. and Ada Freeman Brace; and one brother, Robert S. Brace. Survivors include his wife, Uta Brace of Hot Springs; son Craig (Yvonne), of Janesville, Wisconsin; daughter, Denise (Chuck) Mueller, of Wisconsin; step-daughter, Becky (Mark) Swinehart, of Milton, Wisconsin; and step-son, Cliff (Janet) O'Beirne, of Janesville, Wisconsin; seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces; and one brother, Ralph (Jan) Brace of New Albany, Mississippi. Our thanks go out to Dr. Stephen Divers, the Genesis Cancer Center, Dr. Michael Frais, Dr. Andrew Grose, Mercy Hospital 4th Floor Staff, Advanced Care Hospital Staff, Quapaw Care and Rehab and Gentiva Hospice. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 23, 2014 at First Lutheran Church, Hot Springs. The family asks the memorials be made to First Lutheran Church, Hot Springs, or the American Cancer Society. Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.