Woman of faith and grace

Grace Ann Ranck, a longtime Claremont resident, died peacefully at home on August 24, 2016, just four weeks before her 94th birthday.

She was born Grace Anastasia Munson on September 21, 1922 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Carroll Atlee and Myrtle Mary (Cannon) Munson. Grace and her older sister, Myrtle Mary “Mickie,” were very close and enjoyed many childhood adventures together with their father in Minneapolis and then in Chicago as young women.

Mrs. Ranck loved to share her testimony that in 1946 her life was transformed when she accepted Christ. In 1947 she moved to Seattle, Washington with the Far Eastern Bible Institute and Seminary (FEBIAS), where she worked as a secretary. She also attended Seattle Pacific College and met her first husband, Harold Gerhard Hamm, on campus. They were married on September 17, 1949. By 1951, Grace and Harold had started their family in Oregon.

In 1955 they moved to California, settling in Azusa where their third daughter was born and Harold taught school and started the Lazy Daze Campers company with brothers Paul and Ed Newton. They then settled their family in Claremont.

She was widowed in 1967 when Mr. Hamm died unexpectedly. She rejoined the workforce at the schools where her daughters attended, and then as a skilled secretary with the Claremont Unified School District. Grace and family were members of the Pomona First Baptist Church and that is where she met her second husband, Robert “Bob” James Ranck. In 1971 they were married and Bob and Grace blended both their families with children and grandchildren. The Rancks created a warm home, welcoming everyone with love and laughter. They enjoyed annual vacations to Mt. Hermon for spiritual retreat with family and friends. In 2000, on their 29th wedding anniversary, Mr. Ranck passed away. Again a widow, Mrs. Ranck continued sharing her love and dedicated spirit with all.

She was known for her quick wit and was a masterful seamstress, crafter, homemaker and secretary. Her organizational skills were noteworthy and she was a delightful writer, whose journals leave a legacy of family records and inspiring personal stories. Throughout her life, Grace continued to memorize and quote scripture and remained a dedicated prayer leader. She was always living up to her lovely name through her own gracefulness, elegance and consideration for others.

She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Susie and Gary Arms of Dubuque, Iowa, Deborah and Larry Grimsley of Alta Loma and Rebecca Hamm and David Brock of Claremont; by her step-children Robert Ranck, Jr. and family, Bonnie Henderson and family and Georgia and Gordon Englehardt and family; by grandchildren Lucas and Aurora Grimsley and Joseph Arms and David Arms; and by great-grandsons Logan Grimsley and Sawyer Grimsley. Grace also leaves behind many dear nieces and nephews and their families. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 15 at the First Baptist Church of Claremont, 472 N. Mountain Ave., Claremont, with an 11 a.m. service and noon reception.

Tribute gifts may be made in Grace’s name to The Wounded Warrior Project  (woundedwarriorproject.org) and to First Street Gallery Art Center in Claremont (www.bit.ly/firststreetgallery).