Miriam Uphouse Christensen of Grace Village Retirement Community, Winona Lake, passed away at 6:25 p.m. Saturday, Jan, 17, 2015, at Grace Village Health Care at the age of 97.

She was born on Sept. 10, 1917, in Philadelphia, Penn., to William James McKeefery and Anna (Reichelt) Mckeefery. On Nov. 4, 1939 she was married to Dr. Norman Henry Uphouse. They were married for 45 years when he passed away on Feb. 1, 1985. She then remarried on Nov. 27, 2004 to David Christensen, who also passed away in March 2014.

Miriam received her certificate from Banks Business College in Philadelphia in 1936; graduated in 1938 from the Bible Institute of Pennsylvania; in 1952 became an LPN from Kirkman School in Chattanooga, Tenn.; received her degree from Grace College in Winona Lake, in 1963, and her master’s from St. Francis University in Fort Wayne, in 1972.

She worked as an assistant in the dean’s office of Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn., from 1945-1952. From 1952-1960 she worked as an LPN in a physician’s office and at a hospital. Miriam became the associate dean of students at Grace College and Seminary in 1964 and remained in that position until 1985 when she retired.

Her memberships included National Association of Women Deans, Administrators and Counselors; Indiana Association of Women Deans, Administrators and Counselors; Association of Christians in Student Development; American Red Cross, Altrusa Club of Warsaw; AAUW of Warsaw; and the Winsome Women Retreat Staff in 1984.

Miriam had received many honors throughout her life. In 1977 she was Indiana Merit Mother of the year; 1981 Grace College Alumna of the Year; was in Who’s Who of American Women in 1983-1984; in 1985 received the Citation of Distinction – NAWDAC; and was Grace College Associate Dean of Students Emeritus.

Miriam committed her life to serving the Lord and was a member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, and from 1986-1996 she worked with the Support Missionary with Grace Brethren International Missions in Brazil and Africa.

She will be lovingly remembered by her three daughters: Deborah Ann (husband David) Wingard, Ormond Beach, Fla.; Johanna Faith (husband Alvin) Siebert, Signal Hall, Calif.; Abigail Elizabeth Graham, Fort Wayne; four grandchildren: Sarah, Charity, Seth and Cotter; and three step-grandchildren: Shaun, Brooke and Erika.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, one brother, and her son-in-law Dr. Dennis Graham who died Sept. 11, 2014.

No visitation is planned, a private graveside service will be conducted on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015 at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw and officiated by Pastor Bruce Barlow and assisted by Chaplain Bryan Benjamin. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw. Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw, Indiana.

Memorial donations in Miriam’s name may be directed to Grace College & Seminary – Norman Uphouse Scholarship Fund, 200 Seminary Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590 and would be appreciated by her family.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s web site @ www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com