OBITUARY

While growing up in Moab, Rhea was proud to be known as a “tomboy.” She always had a stubborn streak and wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. Her parents were heavily involved in the Moab community and Rhea followed in their footsteps. She was a Girl Scout leader, team volleyball coach, church volunteer, coordinator of the Candy Striper program at the hospital, and a longtime member of the local Alpha Rho sorority.

In August of 1952, Rhea married Philip (Phil) Gramlich. They were married for 57 years until Phil passed away in 2010. Together, they had three children: Michelle Mortensen, Monet Gramlich Tanikuni, and Mark Gramlich.

Rhea was an employee of the Grand County School District until her retirement in 1999. She was the co-founder of the New Horizons Center for students with disabilities (later known as the Sundwall Center). She worked as a Special Education Paraprofessional at the Sundwall Center, HMK Elementary, and both the Grand County Middle School and High School. She absolutely loved her students and spoke of them often. Whenever Rhea ran into a former student, she would always take the time to catch-up with them. Each student and their family always held a special place in her heart. She would go above and beyond to help them and you could see the difference she made in their lives. In 1994, Rhea received the Employee of the Year award from the school district.

After her retirement, Rhea continued to volunteer in many ways. She stayed active in Alpha Rho, volunteered at the Canyonlands Care Center, helped plan community events, and would often help in her granddaughter Mrs. Estenson’s 2nd grade classroom at HMK. She enjoyed giving back to the community and it fulfilled her to help others.

In her spare time, Rhea enjoyed many activities. She loved gardening, knitting, playing cards, puzzling, baking, and crossword puzzles. Rhea also loved picnicking & fishing on the La Sal Mountains with her family. She shared stories about her time growing up in Moab with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They loved hearing about how she square danced with John Wayne when he was in town making a Western or about how her father was the mayor of Moab.

She is survived by her two daughters Michelle Mortensen & Monet Tanikuni (Gary), seven grandchildren – Teryn Estenson (Mike), Rhianna Howard (Jason), Lindsay Mortensen, Kori Cude (Travis), Kylee Forman (Dustin), Marta Tanikuni (Brad), Braden Tanikuni and 15 great-grandchildren.

Rhea is preceded in death by her parents Mars & Jen Pope, husband Phil Gramlich, sister Maureen Pope Shafer, brother Lynn Shafer, and son Mark Gramlich.

In fulfilling her wishes, Rhea will be cremated and a Celebration of Life in her honor will be held Saturday March 1st at 2 p.m. at the Grand Center, 180 North 500 West.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations at the Grand County School District Office to the BEACON after school program or Grand Mentoring program.

TRIBUTES