Our why…

Grace Ashley Diers passed away on April 16, 2025, at the age of sixteen in the arms of her parents, Doug and Jen (Malm) Diers. Grace was born in Sierra Leone, West Africa on March 5th, 2009, and joined the Diers family through adoption at the age of seven. Grace was the youngest of the Diers family and was affectionately known as their Bug-A-Boo, Boogsie girl, G-money, Pookie, and Gracie Poo. Despite Grace’s major medical needs and her inability to walk, see, or speak, she imparted love to all who had the joy of meeting her. The peace of Jesus seeped through Grace, providing a welcome respite spot for sharing your secrets, napping with her, or simply holding her hands and listening to her coos. Grace was loved by people throughout the world, touching hearts from Africa to Iowa, and beyond. She inspired us all to be present, to appreciate what we have, and to simply give grace. The scripture verse given to Grace by her daddy for the 2024/2025 school year is Matthew 19:26: “Jesus looked at him intently and said, ‘Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” The final verse of that chapter reads, “So those who are the least will now be the greatest.” The family rejoices in knowing that Grace is in the presence of Jesus, dancing, singing, and seeing all His glory. She joins her maternal grandfather, Chuck Malm, and paternal grandfather, Lon Diers, in the presence of our Lord. Those left to cherish her memory are her parents, Doug and Jen, her siblings:  Kobe (Paige Schlotterback), Luke, Esther, Faith, Sarah, Emmanuel, and Lucy, her nephew, Ezekiel, grandmothers Bonnie Malm and Roselyn Diers, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and all of the hundreds of people who helped care for her, pray for her, teach her, and support her journey. 

Following Grace’s death, the Diers family felt called to begin the Give Grace Foundation so that families who have experienced the death of a child would be provided support in facing the financial burden of burying their child during their time of deep grief. It is a way to honor Grace and the love she shared while here on earth.