Melodie Garanson

Melodie (Lemley) Garanson, 48, passed away at her home September 16, 2011.

Melodie was born December 14, 1962, in Des Moines to James and Lethabel Lemley. She graduated from East High School in 1981, and was a National Honor Society student. In 1983, Melodie graduated from AIB, where she studied accounting and computer programming. She married Mark Garanson on October 15, 1983. Melodie and Mark met at her first job, Adventureland, where she worked from 1979 to 1980. She began working for First Realty in 1983 and left in 1995 to work in the accounting department at Prairie Meadows. Melodie also worked part-time at K-Mart and Homemakers Furniture Outlet. She enjoyed cooking, making crafts, NASCAR and Knittin’ for Kittens for the Animal Rescue League. She was a lifelong member of Sheridan Park United Methodist Church.

Melodie is survived by her husband, Mark Garanson; mother, Lethabel (Belle) Lemley; brother-in-law, Don (Michelle) Garanson; niece, Dr. Amanda (Omar) Moreno; aunt, Barb Musgrave; and her cousins, Marcia (Richard) Smith and Robin Smith. She was preceded in death by her father, James G. Lemley; and her in-laws, Eskil and Irene Garanson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 22, 2011, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, followed by burial at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa in loving memory of Melodie, her Irish setter Patrick, and her cat, Wascal.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

Print