Michele Grantham

Michele Ann Grantham passed away peacefully at Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, Kansas on Monday, September 23, 2013 following an extended illness. She will be remembered for many things, but her sense of humor, incredible kindness, and devotion to her family tops the list. Michele was born on December 18, 1943 to Roy and Frances Dunlap in Redwing, MN and lived the majority of her early life in St. Paul, MN being a big sister to five brothers and sisters. Following high school she worked for Braniff Airlines, where she met her future husband, Joe Grantham. Following a brief courtship, they married in 1964, and took up roots in Manhattan, KS, where she built a life raising her children, playing tennis, volunteering at numerous charities, and being a friend to all that knew her. She leaves behind her husband, Joe of Manhattan, and family John and Renie Grantham, Cincinnati, Ohio, Jeff and Peggy Grantham, Overland Park, Kansas, and Amy and Kevin Eickmann, Cincinnati, Ohio. She was the grandmother, better known as 'Grammy', to Lily, Michael, Eleanor and Kate. Her grandchildren were incredibly honored to have experienced her radiance of love during their limited time with her. She also leaves behind her brothers Roy Dunlap, Taos, New Mexico, Bill Dunlap, St. Paul, Minnesota, sister Patty Whitaker, Dellwood, Minnesota, Dana Massopust, Stillwater, Minnesota, and Liz Hersey, St. Paul, Minnesota, along with countless nieces and nephews, who were also drawn to her kindness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Frances Dunlap, and two grandchildren, Madeline and Jack Grantham. There will be a visitation at Irvin-Park Funeral home on Thursday from 7:00 - 9:00 pm, followed by funeral services on Friday at 10:30 am at Seven Dolors Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and left in the care of the funeral home. She touched many lives in Manhattan, as evidenced by her outpouring of 'well wishes' from so many of her great friends. The family cannot thank the people of Manhattan enough for being who they are: a kind, loving, and caring community that took in our Mother and made her one of their own. Thank you, Manhattan and thank you to the kind souls that make this place what it truly is, Home.