Grace Helen Kotas was born on February 8, 1925 to Frank and Rose (Bruha) Sobotka. At a young age, the family moved to Wilber, Nebraska, where she attended school. She graduated from high school with a Normal Training degree, which allowed her to be a teacher directly out of high school. Teaching was a passion, and teaching children was her light! She taught in many country schools in Saline County. Later teaching in Denver, Colorado for one year, Sutton, Nebraska and retired from Geneva, Nebraska Public Schools. She was a respected teacher, who after 42 years of inspiring children to learn, working hard to receive her BS and MS, reluctantly retired. During the summer, if she wasn't attending summer school, she and her girls were gardening, canning vegetables and fruit, or raising, butchering and freezing chickens. In 1943, she met Milo Placek, who was home on leave from the Air Force. They were married on May 25, 1944. The moved back to San Antonio, Texas, where their oldest daughter, Loretta was born. The marriage was a strong union, until Milo died on May 24, 1973. In 1976, Grace married Joe Kotas of Milligan, Nebraska. She was very active with the American Legion and other community functions. In 2010, Grace began living at Tabitha Crete, where she went to her heavenly home. She is survived by daughters, Loretta (Larry) Reckling and Mary Hessheimer. Grandchildren: Jeff (Jerri) Reckling, Todd (Karla Brinkman) Reckling, Tim (Kim Snell-Soucie) Reckling, Michelle (Ron) Barak, Dana Hessheimer, Lisa Hessheimer Church and Kim Valentine. 12 great grandsons and 2 great granddaughters. Also, 3 great-great grandsons and 2 great-great granddaughters. Sister-in law, Marie Sukovaty. She was preceded in death by her first husband Milo Placek, second husband Joe Kotas and special friend Stanley Chrastil. Her son Lonnie Michael, and great grandson Zachery Hessheimer Jenkins. Her parents and brothers, Leonard and Frank, sister in law Elsie Sobotka. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Grace's life will be held at a later date. Memorials to Tabitha in Crete or Milligan Legion with Kuncl Funeral Home in charge.