Valborg Ann Grande's Obituary
Valborg Ann (Norby) Grande went home to the Lord on Sunday, February 26, 2017. Volly was born August 4, 1915 in Poulsbo, Washington to Pastor J. T. and Julia Norby, who were Norwegian immigrants. Volly was the fifth of nine children, now all deceased. The Norby family moved to Bellingham, where Volly grew up. She graduated from Pacific Lutheran College, then a three year normal teachers' college; while there, she met Otis J. Grande. She returned to PLU in the 60’s, where she graduated again with her son Joe, receiving her B.A. in Education; she was 51. She then taught for many years in the Tacoma Public Schools.
Volly and Otis married May 30, 1940 in Seattle, at Phinney Lutheran Church, her father officiating the wedding. They lived in Tacoma, and were active in Hope Lutheran Church and later in St. Mark's Lutheran Church by the Narrows, as PLU alums and the Tacoma School District.
They had four children: Julie (Fred) Desseau of Fox Island; Joe Grande of Seattle; Doug Grande of Edmonds and Barbara (Dan) Dougherty of Kenmore. Otis and Volly's family includes seven grandchildren David (Suzanne) Desseau, Jon (Lori) Grande, Alison Grande, Kate (Adi) Cohen, Alex Grande, Jeff (Jehan) Kyllo and Ashley Dougherty. They also have nine great grandchildren.
Memorials may be made in her name to the Pacific Lutheran University “Otis J. and Volly Grande Thrivent Memorial Scholarship in Education”.
Volly will be remembered by family and friends at a memorial celebration planned for March 17th at noon at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church by the Narrows, 6730 N 17th St. North Tacoma WA. Memorials may be made at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, PLU, or to Lutheran World Relief.
A reception will be held at the church immediately following services. Family and friends kindly invited.
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