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[Raised in Franklin.] Our hearts are immensely sad as Margaret ‘Peggy’ Elizabeth Grell passed away at 91, in peace and comfort at her home in Wichita, Kansas.
She was deeply loved by friends and family and her presence left an indelible mark on all who knew her. She lived her life to the fullest; always finding ways to help people or get them to tell her their story, guiding them when they were lost, or feeding them when they were hungry. She always put others before herself and lived her life in that way every moment that she could. Compelled to “do her share” and following in her brothers’ footsteps; she boldly enlisted in the United States Women’s Air Force at a time when few women were serving in the Armed Forces. She was active in Stephen Ministries through Ascension Lutheran Church. Her faith was a guiding light in her life and through it, she found her purpose in service to others and her community.
She is welcomed in peace everlasting by her parents Joseph and Florence Landry, the love of her life and husband of 49 years, Deane L. Grell, beloved daughter Julie Elizabeth Grell, and dear siblings: Raymond, Frederick, Edward, Leo and Janet; many Landry family cousins, and her “adopted in the Indian way” sister and powwow partner, Neva Pewewardy Santiago. She is survived by her daughter Lindy Grell, her grandsons: Sam White, Zagajiiw White, Raining White, and Jesse White, great grandson, Zekio White, and countless Landry family cousins, relatives, friends, and acquaintances. She always remembered her French Canadian Indian ancestors from Québec.
Peggy was born in Franklin, Massachusetts as the youngest child of six born to Joseph and Florence Landry (née Morell). She attended the Nursing Program at Pondsford (MA) State Hospital. Inspired by her brothers’ service in the military during the Second World War, she enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1953, where she earned the National Defense Service Medal. During her service she met her future husband Deane L. Grell who served as an Air Traffic Controller. They married in 1955. They welcomed two children Lindy and Julie.
Peggy worked for many years in the Veterans Administration as a nurse, and helped many people as an Alcohol and Chemical dependency counselor. For more than 45 years, she was an active member Ascension Lutheran Church. She took great pride in her service to others and continued to serve, even in her retirement. She spent countless hours serving those in need at the Lord’s Diner, being a helpful guide for sixteen years serving at the Volunteers desk in the Wichita Eisenhower airport, and served for many years on the Elders Board at the Wichita Indian Center. She volunteered at events at the Orpheum Theater in Wichita.
She leaves this world in a better place than she found it through her profound love for her family, her commitment to serving others especially those in need and her ability to create connections with people from all walks of life.
She would want you to go out into the world and be a good human.
A memorial celebration for Margaret will be held Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 10:30 AM at Ascension Lutheran Church, 842 N Tyler Rd,, Wichita, KS 67212.
Contributions in Margaret's memory may be made to Planned Parenthood; and Passageways of Wichita.
