Grace Todhunter

Grace Bethke Todhunter, age 73, a resident of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, passed away after a courageous 8-month battle with cancer on Friday, March 25, 2022 at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center at Princeton, Plainsboro, New Jersey.  Grace was born on May 21, 1948 to Arnold and Florence Bethke in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  She graduated from Bay View High School in Milwaukee in 1966 and continued her education by receiving her bachelor’s in education from the University of Wisconsin in 1971 and her master’s degree in counseling from the University of Wisconsin in 1974.  She met her husband, David Todhunter while in Madison, and they were married on August 23, 1969.  Together they lived and raised their daughter, Ashley, in Manitowoc since 1974.

Grace spent her entire professional career at Woodrow Wilson Junior High as a guidance counselor.  For over 30 years, she guided her students through the ups and downs of adolescence.  She was passionate and committed to her work and took great pride in seeing two (and even three!) generations of students on the north side of Manitowoc grow up.  She had an abundant garden that she spent countless hours tending to, sharing her many peppers, tomatoes, and basil with friends and neighbors.  She loved sewing, knitting, and almost any kind of craft project.  In her retirement she enjoyed spending time with her dominoes group, working out at the Wellness Center, and volunteering with the Manitowoc County Association of Home and Community Education.  She was always interested in education and personal learning, keeping her mind sharp with books, puzzles, sudoku, and game shows.   One of Grace’s favorite places to visit was her family’s cottage on Big Sand Lake, where she spent summers as a child swimming and fishing with her five brothers.  She was a proud UW alum and always followed Badgers football and basketball, even traveling out of state (and once out of the country!) to attend games.  She also took many trips to see her dear friends in Arizona, as well as countless trips to New Jersey to visit her daughter and grandchildren.  Grace took great joy in all of her grandchildren’s accomplishments and was an enthusiastic spectator at many practices, games, competitions, and recitals whenever she visited.  She made the most of their time together willingly getting her new kitchen messy while baking Christmas cookies with an abundance of sprinkles, going down the giant water slide at the pool at their behest, or letting them win at cards.  Grace was always a kind and thoughtful person, caring for others first.  She touched many people’s lives in a meaningful way and will always be remembered for her positivity, smile, and courage.

Grace is survived by her loving husband: David, their daughter and son-in-law: Ashley (Brad) Friedman, their grandchildren: Georgia, Elliott, and Alexandra Friedman: four brothers, Frederick (Alice) Bethke, Karl Bethke, Michael (Marti) Bethke, and Edward (Sandy) Bethke: one sister-in-law, Dorothy Bethke, many nieces and nephews, and special friends: Sherry Ewert and Sherry Huebner.  Grace was preceded in death by her parents: Arnold and Florence Bethke, and her brother: Richard Bethke.

A celebration of life visitation and service will be held for relatives and friends on Saturday, May 14th from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. (noon) at The Venue at Union Square, 702 York Street, Manitowoc.   A brunch will be served during the visitation starting at 10:30 a.m.  A service will take place at 12:00 p.m. (NOON)

In lieu of flowers, donations appreciated to the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice in Grace's name.

Cremation has taken place with Franklin H. Rainear Funeral Service, Ewing, NJ and Pielhop Wieting Funeral Homes of Reedsville and Brillion is assisting with arrangements in Manitowoc.