Grace Ovina Levang Allex was born on November 24, 1927, to Knute E. and Olena (Volden) Levang in Watford City, ND. She was the seventh of eight children. Grace attended one year of school in “old” Sanish, ND, which is now under Lake Sakakawea. The rest of grade school was at Veeder School, which was a mile east of their farmhouse. Their farmhouse was east of Johnson Corners and still stands today. She went to high school in Watford City and batched with Lenora Levang Loken at Sid Veeder’s for two years. Her folks retired from farming and moved to town in the fall of 1943. She finished school living with them and graduated in 1945. She was confirmed in the Lutheran faith.

After high school, Grace moved to Minnesota, where her sister, Gladys and her husband, Otto lived. She stayed there for a while and then went to St. Paul, MN where she worked at Montgomery Wards for 10 months. She returned to Watford City with the intention of going to California where her brother, Carmen and his wife, Esther lived, only to find out Carmen was called for service overseas. She stayed in Watford City and worked at Lundin Drug Store (now Barretts) and the welfare office. It was then she met her future husband, the love of her life, Lucas (Luke) Allex.

After two years, they were married and put down their roots in Watford City. They built a house one-half block from where she was born. Her brother, Carmen, always said she did not get very far in life – only one-half block. Luke and Grace had four children: Debbie, Linda, Brian, and Lynette.

Grace provided daycare in her home and did sewing and alterations for local stores while her children were home. When Lynette started school, she started work at First International Bank, retiring in 1990 after working for 22 years.

She loved spending time with family and friends, crocheting, sewing, yard work, and even shoveling snow. Grace was one of the founding members of the Friendly Fifteen Homemakers Club, a member of the Hospital Auxiliary, and the VFW Auxiliary. She also kept herself busy quilting at home and with the First Lutheran Church quilters and coffee with the Larsen’s Coffee Group. She enjoyed attending all of her children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s activities. She was never known to sit idle. After Luke passed, Grace spent time in Texas with her sister, Gladys, for a month or so during the winters.

Grace was known for the mints and lefsa she made as well as her scotcharoos, which were known by many as Grandma Grace’s Scotcharoos.

Grace was a very kindhearted lady, loved by all. If you stopped to visit, you never left hungry. The coffee pot was always on, and some type of food was available. If for some reason there was no snack, she would apologize for not having anything to give you.

Grace entered the Good Shepherd Home in Watford City in January of 2022 and resided there until she gained her heavenly wings on April 8, 2026, surrounded by many family members. This date is exactly 27 years from when Luke gained his wings. Grace enjoyed her time there and had a special relationship with the staff. We want to thank the staff at the Good Shepherd Home for the excellent care Mom received the last four years. She was treated as if she was their own Grandma.

Grace is survived by her children, Debbie (Doug) Thompson, Brian (Joanne) Allex and Lynette (Dave) Hansen; her son-in-law Richard Richardson; 13 grandchildren: Diana (Jesse) Johnson, DJ (Lisa) Thompson, Ronnie (Amanda) Thompson, Lucas (Trait) Thompson, Bob (Mindy) Richardson, Rick Richardson, Troy (Amanda) Richardson, Brianna (Ryan) Chaffee, Brandon Allex, Bridget Allex, Ryan (Ashley) Hansen, Kayla (Adam) Jensen, and Alex (Malorey) Hansen; 24 great grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; her sister-in-law Darline Claus; several nieces and nephews; and all those who loved her.

She was greeted in Heaven by her loving husband, Luke; her daughter, Linda Richardson; granddaughter-in-law Angie Richardson; her parents; her in-laws; her six brothers and one sister and their spouses; all of Luke’s siblings and their spouses; and many other family members.

Luke and Grace are once again gliding across the dance floor to polkas and waltzes.