Grace Cowgill Ansburg, age 88, a resident of Naperville, IL since 1968, formerly of East Chicago, IN, passed away on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Tabor Hills Healthcare Facility in Naperville. She was born on October 7, 1936, in East Chicago, IN.

Beloved wife of the late Wallace R. “Wally” Ansburg, whom she married on August 29, 1959 and who followed her in death on Friday, May 9, 2025, loving mother of Abbie Ansburg of Elmhurst, IL, Duff Ansburg of Aurora, CO and Bonnie (Bruce) Marshall of Aurora, IL, adored grandmother of Ethan Ansburg, Bruce Marshall, Genevieve Marshall, and Grace (Dylan Gatlin) Marshall, devoted daughter of the late Billy Mac and Abbiegale (nee Thomas) Cowgill, dear sister of Martha (the late Bob) Rodgers and Thomas (Nancy) Cowgill, fond sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt and friend of many.

Grace studied at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago and then met the love of her life, Wally Ansburg. They started their married life in Bloomington, IN, where Wally was finishing his accounting degree at Indiana University. After graduation they moved to Calumet City, IN and lived there for seven years. In 1968 they moved to Naperville, IL where they raised their family and lived for the rest of their lives.

Grace was a loving and devoted wife and mother. Her home was always filled with books, music, and laughter.

She played the organ and piano at several churches throughout her life. She loved reading, cooking, Christmas, dogs, and hosting dinner parties. Many people will remember dinners she served and the lively conversations that spilled into the living room after dinner. She also loved playing games, especially those that included a bit of skill to test her competitiveness, such as pinochle, cribbage, and dominos.

Grace and Wally were members of several churches throughout their lives. Grace also attended Bible Study Fellowship for over twenty years and was a group leader for many of those years.

Her favorite poet was fellow Hoosier, James Whitcomb Riley. Her children and grandchildren will never forget her reading of many of his poems, especially “The Bear Story.”

Grace always had a smile or a funny story to tell and she loved her sweets. She would usually look at the dessert menu before ordering dinner at restaurants. White cake with white icing was her favorite.

Her family is extremely grateful to the staff and volunteers at Tabor Hills Supportive Living for their kindness and compassion during her last year at the facility.

Celebration of Grace’s life: May 31, 2025

Celebrating her faith with songs and prayer, 11:00 - 11:30, Word of Life Lutheran Church, 879 Tudor Dr, Naperville, IL 60563

Celebrating her love and laughter, 12:00 - 2:30, Morton’s Steakhouse, 1751 Freedom Dr., Naperville, IL 60563

Private interment: Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Grace may be made to: Little Friends, 27555 Diehl Road, Warrenville, IL 60555, (630) 355-6533, https://www.littlefriendsinc.… or Word of Life Lutheran Church, 879 Tudor Dr., Naperville, IL 60563, (630) 355-9655, https://wordoflife.net/

Arrangements by Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville, IL 60540.

For more information, please call (630) 355-0213 or visit www.friedrich-jones.com

Wallace R. “Wally” Ansburg, age 88, U.S. Navy veteran 1956-1962, a resident of Naperville, IL since 1968, formerly of Calumet City, IL, passed away on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Tabor Hills Healthcare Facility in Naperville. He was born on November 8, 1936, in Chicago, IL.

Beloved husband of the late Grace Cowgill Ansburg, whom he married on August 29, 1959 and who preceded him in death on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, loving father of Abbie Ansburg of Elmhurst, IL, Duff Ansburg of Aurora, CO and Bonnie (Bruce) Marshall of Aurora, IL, adored grandfather of Ethan Ansburg, Bruce Marshall, Genevieve Marshall, and Grace (Dylan Gatlin) Marshall, devoted son of the late Francis “Red” and Lucille (nee Downing) Ansburg, dear brother of Judy (the late Paul) Jensen, Jennifer (the late David) Zahn, the late Ronald (the late Beverly) Ansburg, the late Frederick (Pat) Ansburg, the late Anita (the late John) Dixon and the late Diane (the late Robert) Worth, fond brother-in-law, uncle, great-uncle and friend of many.

Wally studied business at Indiana University and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After returning home he met Grace and married her in August of 1959. They started their married life in Bloomington, IN, where Wally finished his accounting degree. They moved to Calumet City, IN and then to Naperville, IL.

Wally opened his C.P.A. Practice in Naperville in 1969. Over the years, many of Wally’s clients found not only a great C.P.A., but also a long-lasting friend. He always, always had a great story or joke to tell anyone who would listen. And everyone listened!

A well-loved figure in Naperville, he served as president of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce and was involved in many local service clubs and not-for-profit organizations.

Wally was joined by his daughter Bonnie Marshall in 1991. As far as we know, they were the only Father-Daughter CPA firm in Illinois.

Wally and Grace were members of several churches throughout their lives. He served as a church treasurer for many years and participated in youth groups encouraging teens to follow their dreams.

“You can measure a man by a number of things: money, athletics, success … the list goes on and on … but the one that makes sense is to measure him by the impact he has on others’ lives. When I look through that lens, what an amazing success he has been” said Wally’s son Duff.

Wally’s family is extremely grateful to the staff and volunteers at Tabor Hills Supportive Living for their kindness and compassion during his last year at the facility.

Celebration of Wally’s life: May 31, 2025

Celebrating his faith with songs and prayer, 11:00 - 11:30, Word of Life Lutheran Church, 879 Tudor Dr, Naperville, IL 60563

Celebrating her love and laughter, 12:00 - 2:30, Morton’s Steakhouse, 1751 Freedom Dr., Naperville, IL 60563

Private interment: Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Wally may be made to: Little Friends, 27555 Diehl Road, Warrenville, IL 60555, (630) 355-6533, https://www.littlefriendsinc.… or Word of Life Lutheran Church, 879 Tudor Dr., Naperville, IL 60563, (630) 355-9655, https://wordoflife.net/

Arrangements by Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville, IL 60540.

For more information, please call (630) 355-0213 or visit www.friedrich-jones.com

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