Obituary of Virginia Grady

Virginia Grady age 89 of Monroe passed away at 11:45pm, Saturday, March 6, 2010 at The Lutheran Home in Monroe. Friends may gather from 2:00pm until 8:00pm, Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street (734) 384-5185. She will lie in state from 10:00am until services at 11:00am Thursday, March 11, 2010 at Zion Lutheran Church, 186 Cole Road. Reverend Ross Ulrich and Reverend Gary Tryggestad pastors of the church will co-officiate. Procession will follow to Roselawn Memorial Park for interment. Born January 26, 1921 in Monroe, Michigan she was the daughter of Edward and Anna (Bunge) Heitger. She married Harold Hochradel on October 14, 1939. He passed away on April 14, 1970. She then married Donald Grady on December 31, 1970. Donald passed away on May 11, 1985. Virginia attended Zion Lutheran Elementary School, and was a 1939 graduate of Monroe High School. She continued her studies many years later and graduated from the Northwest Ohio Practical Nursing School in 1963. She was employed at Monroe Hospital, Memorial Hospital, and then worked twenty-one years for The Lutheran Home before retiring in 1999. She was a former member of the Mercy Memorial Guild and the Altar Guild at Zion Lutheran Church where she regularly attended Bible study and worship. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, and working in her yard. She also completed many needle work projects over the years. She leaves to forever cherish her memory three daughters: Bonnie McColl of Monroe, Janice (Greg) Thurner of Janesville, Wisconsin, and Pam (Steve) Aldridge of Monroe; two step-daughters: Jaci Grady of Monroe and Kathy Heisner of Central Lake, Michigan; seven grandchildren; two step grandchildren; and eleven great grandchildren. Her passing was preceded by her parents; a son: Theodore "Ted" Hochradel on October 6, 2007; and a brother: Lester Heitger. Memorial donations in Virginia's honor are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church, The Lutheran Home, or Heartland Hospice and Homecare. Online words of inspiration and comfort can be made by visiting www.merklefuneralservice.com and then selecting the Life Stories page. Virginia had written: "I'll not leave much worldly possessions behind, but in my lifetime I haven't found that to be the most important. But hope that I have instilled in you the Christian's way of life." Virginia's family wishes to thank Heartland Hospice and Homecare and specifically their staff: Japhia, nurse; Karen, aide; and Karen, social worker for their compassion and care for their mother during this difficult time.