Ada Leina Groseclose was born October 26, 1925 at her parent’s homestead in north-east Yuma County, Colorado. Her father, Arthur Groseclose, had arrived in 1905 by covered wagon, from Downing (Scotland County) Missouri. It was three years later, in 1908 that Arthur filed his homestead and returned to Missouri just long enough to marry the Sweetheart he had left behind, Mary Olive (Ollie) Gordy.

Ada was the youngest of 9 children born to that union. All of Ada’s siblings have predeceased her and she is the last of the Groseclose family to reside in Yuma County. Ada attended Thomas School, a one room county school, graduating from 8th Grade. Her first grade teacher, Jennie Oman Monk was her favorite and they remained lifetime friends. Jennie just passed away in January at the age of 98.

Prior to marriage Ada worked on the family farm, was active in 4-H club with livestock, as well as cooking and sewing, taught Sunday School and worked outside the home caring for older people. Upon the untimely death of her older sister Alta Bennett in 1942, Ada assisted with caring for her young children. Early in life Ada dedicated her life to the Lord and served Him faithfully. She was a member of the Nazarene Church for about 60 years and served in many capacities. She was well known for planning and organizing many of the social events — including writing scripts for many plays designed for entertainment and inspiration.

Ada was united in marriage to Bernard Walchle, son of John and Florence (Keech) Walchle on June 15, 1952 at the Holyoke Nazarene Church. No children were born to the marriage. They would miss celebrating their anniversary by only six months. For a short time after their marriage, Bernard was employed at the Warren Dodge Ranch in the Wauneta community. Soon thereafter they moved to the Ralph Crews Ranch near Haigler where they remained until 1960. Upon the death of Bernard’s father, they purchased and moved to the 400 acre family homestead north of Wray where they remained until their retirement, and subsequent move to Wray, in 1992.

After Bernard’s death in 2002, Ada continued to life in the family home until her move to the Towers Assisted Living. Later she moved to the Hillcrest Care Center where she resided until her death. Ada and Bernard were truly the love of each other’s life and, it seemed, the names “Ada & Bernard” were one word. It was rare that they were not together. Ada had many interests — assisting Bernard with the cattle and farming operations, growing an extensive vegetable and flower garden, baking for farmer’s market, all the while assisting those in need. During the ten or so years prior to her Mother’s death in 1969, Ada spent part of every week staying with her and caring for her needs. She was also the mainstay of the Groseclose — Walchle family get togethers for many years and was well known for her great country cooking.

hile Ada & Bernard never were blessed to have children of their own, they became an influential part of the lives of many of their nieces and nephews as well as many children which they cared for over the years. Ada’s notebook records the names of some 125 children that they cared for. Some were only one time “baby sitting” job but a sizable number were longer terms situations. A few of them became almost as close as if they had been their own children. Some of those they cared for are now grandparents. Ada had a framed plaque in her home which seemed to be the signature of her life, it read: “One hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in my bank account, not what my clothes looked like. But, the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child”. She was important in the life of many.

Ada was preceded in death by her husband Bernard; her parents, Arthur & Ollie Groseclose; three brothers Edgar, Lloyd & Guffy; five sisters — Alta ( Likens) Bennett, Annie French, Nellie Maendl, Vada Walchle, and Ida who died in infancy; brothers & sisters in law — Floyd Likens, Merle Bennett, Anna Mollenberg, Paul Maendl, Leah Groseclose and Willard Walchle, Ada is survived by the following brothers & sisters in law: Jewell French of Olds Alberta, Doratha Groseclose of Greybull Wyoming, and Marion & Lois Walchle of Mt. Vernon Ohio, as well as many nieces & nephews, great and great- great nieces and nephews and a large host of children whose lives she influenced.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 10:00 a.m., Church of the Nazarene in Wray, Colorado with Rev. Noel Sullivan officiating. Memorials may be made to the Church of the Nazarene in her memory. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.