Melba Dean Grandstaff

Mar. 6, 1927 - Sep. 26, 2018

Date of Service: Oct. 8, 2018

“Duffy” Melba D. Grandstaff, a 91-year-old resident of Twin Falls, Idaho, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, at Bridgeview Estates.

We could list where she was born, where she lived through out her life, where she worked and the businesses she owned. None of that would truly describe what kind of person she was. We could use all those loving adjectives commonly used but it still would not give a true sense of her. Duffy not only lived her life to the max, but she did it her way! Melba Dean McPherson was born to Earl Samuel and Eva Metta (Madsen) McPherson March 6, 1927, in Nephi, Utah.

Melba became “Duffy” during LPN nurse’s training. She married Robert M. Bronson and became the only mother Bobby and Karl ever knew. A daughter, Kristien, and a son, Brent R., completed the family. Following her seven year nursing career, Duffy opened her first clothing business; Guys ’n Dolls and Tots thru Teens in the Overland Shopping Center in Burley, Idaho. Pocatello, Idaho, was the site of Duffy’s Duds that evolved into two locations and remained in business for nearly twenty years.

Kat Hull of Kat’s Home Laundry was her fun loving husband during this time. Together, they traveled the world and enjoyed one adventure after another.

Marrying Bill Grandstaff provided her the opportunity to experience Carriage Manor of Mesa, Arizona, for nearly thirty years before moving back to Idaho. There she served as an unofficial one woman Welcome Wagon hostess to the park's newcomers. She was an active participant in many of their activities such as playing the wash board in their Kitchen Band. Duffy served as Grand Marshall to their Carriage Manor Days before exiting that fun-filled lifestyle.

Rest in peace, dear Duffy, and soar the heavens with your immediate family, your boys, Bob and Karl, your husbands, and all those friends you adored.

She is survived by her son, Brent R. Bronson (Sandy) and their daughters, Megan Vessey (Shannon) and Sydney; daughter, Kristi Kingma (Jim) and their daughter Mitzi; and Bob’s family - wife, Mitsuko, and their children, Sean, Nik and their families.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 8, at Gem Memorial Gardens, 2435 Overland Ave., in Burley.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m Monday, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley. The funeral cortege will then leave for the cemetery at 10:45 a.m.