Grace Nau

Born in Danville, IA
Born on Sep 24, 1928
Departed on Dec 6, 2016

Order Flowers
Share Condolence

Share Your Condolences

Dear Don and the Nau Family, We are sending our prayers and sympathy to you and may you know we have the fondest memories of Grace. She was a remarkable woman who touched more lives than you will ever know. Peace be with you.

So sorry to hear about your Mom, Brad. I remember your parents well from back in the day. Sounds like she and your Dad had a wonderful life even after we grew up. My condolences to you, your Dad and all your family.

I am so sorry to hear about your loss, i lost my own mom this year too, it isn't easy to bear but time makes it a little better. Know that me Jeremiah, and Renee's thoughts are with you at this time and always

Don and family: I just learned of Grace's passing and I am so sorry for your family's' loss. Grace was such a sweet and caring person; always smiling. I will forever miss her smile, seeing her at church and when I attend events in the future at the Paramount. Grace's love and memories will always be in your hearts. Prayers to you and the family. God Bless.

Don and Family: I'm very sorry for your loss. I so enjoyed playing bridge with Grace. Prayers and blessings to you and your family!

Scott, I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a parent is a surreal experience. What a lovely woman your mother was. I know you will miss her terribly, but you have a stockpile of wonderful memories to carry you through the hard times. I lost my father just twelve days ago and am still floating somewhere in the twilight zone. You have a strong group of supporter and that is what it takes. The sad times will lessen and soon you'll be remembering your mom with a laugh and a big smile on your face. How fortunate you were to have her in your life for so long. Prayers and blessings to you and your family.

Wanted to extend my sympathy in the loss of your mom. My mother just passed on 10/28 as well. It's helped to have a great picture of her showing her personality close by. Wishing you great memories of her. Sincerely Eva

I was proud to introduce Don to the student body at Washington High School in an all-school assembly when he became principal. As a high school junior, I had no idea what additional impact the Nau family would have on me and my family in the future. Our daughter, Lisa, was so fortunate to have Grace as her 6th grade teacher at Grant Wood. Grace nurtured the potential of each student individually. Lisa was and is a creative spirit. Grace embraced that and helped her to become an outstanding student. Now Lisa teaches singing to all in California...young, old, musician or not. I think she learned from Grace to embrace each person's individual gifts. Whenever I would see Grace in following years, she always asked about Lisa, and when I sent Lisa a message this week that Grace had passed away she felt as devastated as I and asked me to send her love to the family. This morning's service was a beautiful tribute not only to Grace, but to the entire Nau family. The loving memories were so touching. I will never forget "Amazing Grace."

Grace was my 4th grade teacher at Grant Wood. To this day, looking back on all my teachers, she is still my favorite. She taught us the foundations that let us spread our wings and learn. She instilled in us the desire for knowledge. My father was a professor. After an essay exam he gave, he told his students that his 4th grade daughter could write a better paper than they had just given him. She expected the best from us and we were happy to give it to her. I have had the pleasure of seeing her in recent years at Methwick, always the gracious lady. Heaven has gained a wonderful woman. Prayers and condolences to the family.

My mental picture of Grace Nau is of her eyes twinkling as she smiles just before throwing her head back a great big loud laugh! Especially when she was telling stories - like the many references to "George and Gracie" - whom I watched endlessly after hearing her stories of the comedians. She was my favorite teacher, wonderful mentor, cheerleader, and friend. I was lucky to not only have her as a teacher (so well put, Eric Roberson and we desperately need more teacher like her!) but returned to her classroom for various student teaching experiences as I planned to emulate her teaching style and mimic her behavior with students. She KNOWS that she was one of the major influences in my choosing a degree in education. I had the extreme pleasure to see her from time to time and visit. We had lunch, ran into one another at local events and appointments, I introduced her to my children, heard about her grandchildren, and I was able to visit her several times at Methwick. I think my FAVORITE memory from my Grant Wood years was of the pure joy of being selected to visit her home with a few other classmates after school. I THINK I earned that great pleasure maybe 2-3 times. We walked to Grant Wood Drive after school and visited her home (and the adorable blind dog) and she proudly showed us pictures, trophies, medals, that Brad, Julie and Scott had earned. We even got to see Julie's LONG worked out math problems - that were so neat, organized, and detailed that we were awestruck and it made such a lasting impression of what was acceptable. It was such a treat to get to share her personal time and home! Years later, I tried to repeat this with my 5th grade class in Arizona. (The students LOVED it, and I am still in touch with many of those that earned the chance to visit my home with a group of their classmates. Not surprisingly, those were the students that worked so hard to earn the chance to be chosen that they were students that also valued my time and perspective. I am sure that many of us would say that is how we felt about Grace Nau!) Unfortunately, that was short lived as "insurance concerns" ended up cutting the option short - and goodness knows, today you wouldn't even think of doing something like that!!! Times have sure changed, but she was a classic that was timeless. I am so grateful to have had her in my life over the years, and I am so happy that I had told her several times that her love of geography and words/grammar and reading and teaching and family made a big difference in my life. Sometimes when she felt she had rambled to me too much, she said "ok, say good-night, Gracie". My dear teacher, it is with much warmth, joy, and thankfulness that I remember you. It is an earthly "good night, Gracie" as I am grateful that you can now move easily and freely while you laugh, twinkle, and learn through eternity. God is so lucky to have you near him.

Don was my Principal at Olin. Our prayers & condolences to all of the family as you face life without Grace.

Julie and Family, We are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Scott, so very sorry to hear of your mom's passing. From the sound of the memorial obituary she was extraordinary. May you and your family always remember her as you continue with your many successes in life. That's always what a mother wants. Prayers for you all.

Julie and family. I am very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Julie and Family. I am very sorry for your loss. Your Memorial is such a wonderful testament to Grace's legacy. May the many, tremendous memories you all share, comfort you at this time and in the future. My prayers are with all of you.

My deepest condolences to the family of Grace. I have worked with Grace's daughter, Julie, for years and have seen the qualities of Grace present in Julie. Peace be with the family and friends of Grace and may the memories of her comfort you.

Please accept my sympathy and condolences on your loss. Mrs. Nau was one of my favorite teachers at Grant Wood and will be deeply missed. Perhaps you can take comfort in knowing that her legacy lives on, not only through her family, but also in the hundreds of children she taught who are, in turn, passing on a part of her teachings to their own children.

My sincere condolences to Grace's family members. I was never so blessed to have met Grace but having spent many days and hours with her extraordinary daughter Julie, I know she had to have been an exceptional person and mother. God bless you all. My prayers are with you.

My condolences to all members of the Nau family. My two children, Erik and Elisa, enjoyed the privilege of having Grace as their teacher at Grant Wood. She was top notch and will be greatly missed.

The Nau Family: I worked for Don at the CR Board of Education and remember a luncheon at his home where Grace was such a gracious host. So sorry for your loss.

Don and Family, I join with you in celebrating the life of Grace. I observed her work with children many times and always considered her a natural teacher. Mary Jane and I join in remembering positively a great lady. William C. Jacobson

Don, I am sorry you've lost your wife Grace . She was always a pleasant person to me. I informed Reverend Bender. Harve

To Don and family: Please accept our condolences on your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. We hope that comfort and peace come to you. I am sure she will truly be missed by many. May God bless all of you. Jim and Carol Voss

Mrs. Nau was indeed an incredible teacher, someone with both the will and the ability to alter the lives of her students for the better. I had the good fortune to have her for two years at Grant Wood and have always considered her the paradigm of an ideal elementary school teacher. She possessed a rare gift for motivating us, combined with a commitment to coax every bit of potential from each student. She set high expectations and made you want to meet them. There was never any down time in her classroom -- if you finished your work, there were always extra assignments to sharpen skills. I think I learned more about grammar and diagramming sentences in third and fourth grade than most students do now in high school. She kindled in me a love for learning that sparked a career in academia, and was truly a force in my life. I consider it a great gift to have had her as a teacher. This is sad news to hear, but I rejoice in her new and joyful eternal life. On behalf of our family, condolences to yours.