Rhea Mae (VanSteenburgh) Grandon

Ellinwood, KS
Rhea Mae Grandon, 85, a Child of God, a Woman who loves and is loved by many, a nurse, and most gratefully an Artist passed away in Ellinwood, KS on April 30, 2025. Born in Great Bend, KS on April 17, 1940 to parents Jerry & Dorothy VanSteenburgh she attended grade school and High School in Ellinwood and later attended classes from Kansas University and Milwaukee Institute of Tech. Rhea later graduated from Barton Co. Community College as a Registered Nurse at 62 and was able to practice for 11 years in Great Bend and Ellinwood at former Woodhaven Care Center. Currently she has artwork in 28 countries, and in almost every state in the USA. At one time she had 7 Galleries representing her work. She was pleased to have had TWO.... One Man Art Shows at Museums. Another passion was Genealogy. Rhea traced all four branches of her family back 12 generations. John and Rhea spent many hours in pursuit of grave locations. She came to find out her father was wrong when he joked they originated from horse thieves. Rhea like her sister Alice loved to write, eventually finishing 3 books. The first was a cook book which is still sold on Amazon, the other two were written as an addendum to her family tree books. Rhea also loved writing poetry and loved to talk and laugh. Over the years she was privileged to teach many people to paint....most becoming very special to her, like her children. Her wishes were that they discovered something wonderful inside themselves that they can in turn share. 

Rhea was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Kimberly Borders; step-daughter, Joann Grandon; and sister Alice Coe. Survivors include husband, John Grandon, Ellinwood, KS; step-daughters Diane Rhine (Wyoming), Rhonda Bouton (South Dakota), step son, Jim Grandon (Oklahoma). Other survivors include grandson, Harrison Peschka (Great Bend, KS), nieces, Rebecca Coe (Colorado), Laura Pivonka (Wichita, KS), and nephew, Bill Coe (Oklahoma); 16 grandchildren, and 6 Great-Grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place. Graveside service will be May 12th 10:00 AM at Lakin-Comanche Cemetery in Ellinwood. Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer's Association in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526.