SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Grayce E. Lancaster passed away on May 12, 2008, and was buried on May 16 at St. Mary’s Cemetery at 65th Avenue and 21st Street. Her obituary noted that “she was the first woman elected as Exalted Ruler (ER) of Sacramento Elks Lodge #6, where she served two terms.” The obituary did not mention – nor was it widely known – that there was a controversy surrounding her burial.

Grayce served as ER in 2004-2005. In 2007, the sitting ER resigned in August, and Grayce was elected in October to finish the term. She loved the Elks and even purchased her own set of Exalted Ruler’s jewels. She arranged to be photographed wearing them, and it was decided that when she passed away she would be buried wearing them.

The obituary listed all of her children and also mentioned “…her dance partner, George Stan….” George was a member of Elks Lodge #6.

After Grayce’s passing, George asked to borrow the Lodge’s Exalted Ruler’s jewels because the family could not locate Grayce’s own set.

The Lodge lent the jewels to George for the memorial service. At the end of Grayce’s Mass, the casket was closed. George attempted to retrieve the Lodge’s jewels, but they had already been buried with Grayce.

George later informed Lodge officers what had happened. He also noted that Grayce had previously been photographed wearing her own set of jewels. Although the family had not yet received the photograph, they intended to provide a copy for display on the Lodge’s Past Exalted Rulers wall. George was never happy with the quality of the photograph and promised to get a better copy.

Meanwhile, the new incoming ER needed to be photographed wearing the jewels. Replacing them would cost more than $2,000, and the expense had not been included in the budget for the new year. The Lodge had what they referred to as the “traveling jewels.” These were used when Lodge officers performed graveside services. Looking at the photographs of the Past Exalted Rulers (PERs), it is clear that the 2008-2009 PER’s jewels are not as elaborate; they were the traveling jewels.

Lancaster passed away nearly 16 years ago. The Lodge’s ER jewels were buried and never recovered, and the Lodge eventually purchased a new set. The Lodge also obtained a photograph of Grayce to display on the PER wall.

Recently, PER Stephen Clazie was opening his mail when he noticed an unaddressed photo envelope mixed in with the stack. Inside was a photograph of Grayce. It is the same portrait already displayed on the wall, but this one is of noticeably better quality.

After all these years, it seems Grayce’s portrait may yet receive a fitting update. Her dance partner lived to be 100, but we were unable to contact him for comment.

Lancaster’s 2008 obituary in The Sacramento Bee said, “Grayce was loved by many and will be missed by all.” 

Clazie recently said, “That really is true.” 

He added, “It is ironic and symbolic that I am pictured wearing the traveling ER jewels.” Every ER has a pin with their slogan; his depicted the historic C.P. Huntington locomotive with the slogan “All Aboard!”