Beloved sister, aunt, teacher, and friend Thelma Grandia passed away on June 8, 2010, in Warren, Michigan, after a courageous battle with stage four liver cancer.

Thelma was born on March 9, 1930, to Murry and Leona Vander Linden Grandia near Pella. After graduating from Pella High School in 1948, she attended Central College for six weeks to earn a certificate allowing her to teach in a one room schoolhouse.

Thelma attended the University of Iowa, graduating in 1957 with an Elementary Education degree. She then moved to Detroit to begin teaching in the Grosse Point school system, where she taught for 34 years at Poupard Elementary School. Thelma was admired and loved by students, parents, and colleagues. She earned her Master of Arts in Teaching from Oakland University in 1976. Thelma was a member of the Grosse Pointe Memorial Church, where she served as a deacon and an elder during her 43 years of attendance.

Throughout her life, Thelma enjoyed sharing time with family and friends, travel, bridge, golf, reading, dining out, and so much more. She had the remarkable ability of always seeing the glass half full.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, and her dearest friend of 50 years, Carolyn (Carnee) Nelson.

Thelma is survived by her brother, Murl (the late Jane) Grandia of Ft. Worth, Texas; her sister, Marilee (Doward) Sjaardema of Pella; her nieces and nephews, Michael (Angie) Grandia, Heather (Doug) Cassidy, and Laurie (Matt) Pelzel, all of Ft. Worth, Texas, Michele (Randy) Van Maaren, Deniece (Bill) Hilligas both of Pella, and Krista (Marc) Grant of Conrad, Iowa. She is also survived by several great-nieces, great- nephews, and one great-great-niece.

PASSED AWAY

June 8, 2010
Warren, Michigan

MEMORIAL SERVICES

11:00 A.M., Friday, June 25, 2010
First Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

MEMORIALS

Sloan Kettering Cancer Research
1275 York Avenue
New York, New York 10131-0112
or
A charity of your choice

INTERMENT

Oakwood Cemetery

---