Grace Cumings

Grace Wenban Cumings, age 98, passed away on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 in Venice, FL. She lived at Bella Vita, a retirement center. Before moving to Venice in 2012 she lived in Lake Francis Estates in Tavares, FL since 1982 but spent her summers in Door County Wisconsin until 2000. She was born July 31, 1916 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. At an early age she moved with her family to Neenah where she graduated from Neenah High. After graduation she worked at Kimberly Clark until her marriage to John Cumings in 1937. She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Neenah until she and John became charter members of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, where she served on the church council. After moving to Florida they became members o f St. Phillips. When she moved to Venice she joined Emmanuel Lutheran Church. When her children were in school she started the first federal hot lunch program for the school district. Grace was also a member of the Women's Division of Highway Safety for the State of Wisconsin. She was also a volunteer for the Alzheimer's Association in Tavares and was a reader for the elementary school. In Neenah, she was active in her Homemaker's Club and was a leader for her children in 4H. Together Grace and John started Cumings Electric in 1945. Today her son Mark continues the business. Grace was preceded in death by her husband John in 1995 and her sister Dorothy Malchow of Neenah in 2007. She is survived by three daughters, Karen Janov of Bradenton, FL, Kathleen (Bill) Pickering of North Venice, FL, Lynne (Bob) Keller of Kaukauna, WE; son Mark Cumings of Neenah, WI; 11 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Venice on Saturday, August 16th at 2 PM. Burial will be in Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.