Virginia Rae Grandalen

July 11, 1938  - Nov. 4, 2014

[caption id="attachment_9469" align="alignright" width="227"] Virginia Rae Grandalen[/caption]

Virginia Rae Grandalen died peacefully on Nov. 4, 2014, in Cowley, surrounded by her family. Virginia was born on July 11, 1938, in Pocatello to Edward and Norma Steed. Her given name was Virginia but she was always known throughout her life as Ginny.

Ginny spent her early years living in Pocatello, where she attended and graduated from school. After graduating from high school she worked as an administrative assistant for many years and always talked so highly of those that she had the pleasure to work with.

Ginny married Don Thompson and to that union were born two daughters.  They were later divorced.

On June 24, 1981, Ginny married Marvin Grandalen and moved to Cowley, where she instantly gained five more children. She always said how lucky and blessed she was to be able to join the family together and she spoke highly of her family and how proud she was of everyone. It was one of her greatest joys in her life. She loved everyone and always made everyone feel welcome. Ginny was a beloved wife and mother and a beautiful person both inside and out, those who knew Ginny always commented about her kindness and the love that she shared with everyone around her.

After her marriage to Marvin she worked with her husband in their business until their retirement in 2001.

They purchased a home in Mesquite, Nev., and a home in Terrace Lakes, Idaho, where they resided enjoying family and friends until they returned to Cowley in 2009, a place they always called home.

While living in Mesquite and Terrace Lakes she loved to play golf with her husband, family and friends. Ginny loved being home and caring for those around her. She loved her yard and always had such beautiful roses that she cared for very carefully. She loved to hear and watch the hummingbirds outside their home and spending time camping in the mountains. She enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, and fishing with her family was one of her favorite things to do.

Grandma Ginny always loved to have her grandchildren bounce on her leg while she sang the song “Pony Boy” or “I Love You a Bushel and a Peck.”  But, most of all she loved taking great care of her husband Marvin and her family. She was truly loved by all who came into contact with her and will be greatly missed by all. 

Ginny is survived by her husband Marvin, of Cowley; daughters Wendy Thompson, of Ogden, Terri Johnson, of Pocatello, Cindi (Leon) Dobrzynski, of Austin, Texas, Peggy (Chuck) Wittick, of Cody, Jaye Grandalen, of Cowley and Kristi (John) Schneider, of Lovell; her son Richard (Lori) Grandalen, of Cowley; step-father John Geyer, of Pocatello; brother Monte (Penny) Steed, of Pocatello; sister Paula Locke, of Pocatello; sister-in-law Julleen Steed, of Pocatello; 19 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Ginny was preceded in death by her father Edward Steed; mother, Norma Geyer; a baby sister; brother, Dennis Steed; brother-in-law, John Locke; grandsons, Joshua Cribbs and Tyler Grandalen.

Family and friends gathered for a visitation on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, at Haskell Funeral Home. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at Saint John’s Lutheran Church in Lovell.  Interment was in the Lovell Cemetery.