Grace Melander

Grace Lewis Melander, 93, died Friday, April 7, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul A. Melander. Grace was born in Roberts County, South Dakota to Lauris and Martha (Solberg) Lewis on January 21, 1924. Upon graduating from Sisseton High School, she went to work as Rosie the Riveter at Boeing Aircraft in Tacoma, Washington. After the war, she worked as a telephone operator in Seattle, WA and Minneapolis, MN. Grace was united in marriage to Paul in Watertown, SD in April 1947. She and Paul owned and operated a grocery store and cream station in Ortley, SD until leaving for Colorado in 1953 where they raised and enjoyed their family. In 1964, Grace went to work in retail management for several years. After Paul's retirement, they relocated to Mesa, Arizona and spent the next 15 years relaxing and enjoying time with friends before returning to Colorado in 2000 to be near family. Grace enjoyed her family and friends, her church, reading books, puzzles, her walks and volunteering. Grace will be buried in Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado next to her husband. She is survived by daughter Paulette (John) Schnittgrund, son Terry (Peggy) Melander, son Mark (Susan) Melander, her grandchildren Eric (Tania), Andy (Shauna), Russ (Nina), Matt, Katy, Scott, Kyle and many relatives and friends. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed. A Memorial Service for Grace will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at Littleton United Methodist Church 5894 S. Datura St., Littleton, at 11AM. A Pavilion service will follow at Fort Logan National Cemetery 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd., Denver, at 12:30PM. Donations may be made in Grace's memory to Littleton United Methodist Church, 5894 S Datura St, Littleton, CO 80120. Please share your condolences with her family by signing the guestbook below.