E. Grace Rait

To: Members of the Faculty From: J. W. Maucker, President Date: July 26, 1966 Miss E. Grace Rait, former associate professor of teaching at State College of Iowa, passed away Monday afternoon, July 25, 1966, at the Allen Memorial Nursing Home in Waterloo, Iowa, following a long illness. She was born on July 3, 1882, at Morrison, Iowa, was graduated from State College of Iowa with the B. A. degree in 1920, and received the M. A. degree from Columbia University in 1927. Prior to joining the staff of the Department of Teaching at State College of Iowa in 1914, Miss Rait taught in the public schools of Iowa and at Montana State Normal College. She assumed emeritus status in 1953, and retired in 1959 after having served in the teaching profession for over fifty years. In 1958, Miss Rait was honored as a recipient of the State College of Iowa Alumni Service Award. She was a past president of the Iowa Association for Childhood Education, a life member of the Iowa State Education Association, and a charter member of the Iota chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, honorary professional society. The funeral service will be at the Nottger-Schoof Funeral Home in Cedar Falls at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 27. The flag will be flown at half-mast Wednesday afternoon in memory of Miss Rait. E. Grace Rait, 84 Dies This Morning, Longtime Teacher E. Grace Rait, 84, formerly of 809 West 12th Street, Cedar Falls, died at Allen Memorial Nursing Home in Waterloo this morning. She had been in ill health the past year. She was born July 3, 1882, the daughter of Alexander and Mary A. Rait at Morrison. She graduated from the public schools of Reinbeck and later returned there as a teacher. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree at State College of Iowa and her Master's degree from Columbia University. She did further graduate study at the University of California and at the University of Chicago. She was a teacher for 50 years, first in the rural schools in Grundy County and then at Reinbeck and Waterloo. For one year she was a critic teacher at Montana State Normal college at Dillon. In 1914 she came to Iowa State Teachers College as a teacher and advanced to.associate professor of education and supervising critic in which position she continued until her retirement in 1952. She continued her service on emeritus status until June 1959. During that time she was awarded the Alumni Certificate of Service in recognition of her outstanding activity. She was a past president and state officer of the Association for Childhood Education International and a life member of the Iowa State Education Association. Miss Rait was a life-long member of the Presbyterian church, a charter member and past president of Chapter FV PEO, and a charter member of Iota chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma honorary professional society. She is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Ellen Blossom, Algona; Mrs. Edna Hutton, Des Moines; Margaret Rait, Cedar Falls. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister. Memorial services will be held at the Nottger-Schoof Funeral home Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. with the Reverend Doyle Hansen officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. The casket will not be opened at the service. Friends who wish may contribute to a memorial fund for the First Presbyterian Church building fund. The body is at the Nottger-Schoof Funeral Home. Copyright Cedar Falls Record, July 25, 1966.