On the beautiful first day of Spring, March 20, 2015, Jesus gathered into His loving arms Melanie Joy Thoreson, our beloved Daughter, Mother, Wife, Sister, Grandmother and Friend. Melanie was born November 4, 1955 in Spokane to Bob and Carol Gronholz. She attended schools in the Mead District before moving to Colfax in 1973 to help her parents in their grocery store. Melanie had an artistic talent and maintained a lifelong interest in art; especially painting. She had a keen interest in politics as well and found topics of the day fascinating. Melanie married Craig Culbertson and together they raised their family of four on the farm near Onecho. Melanie loved being on the farm. She always had a large garden and many flower beds to tend. She kept busy as a homemaker, wife and mother and truly enjoyed spending that time with her kids. She was an excellent seamstress as well. She and Craig later divorced and Melanie moved closer to the Snake River and Boyer Park. She worked for quite a while as a waitress at the Boyer Park Marina and she also counted fish at the dam. She liked being around the water, loved fishing; especially at Twin Lakes. She married Tom Thoreson and they continued making Colfax their home until moving to Spokane in 2005. Melanie contracted an illness in 2009, possibly west nile virus, that stole much of her independence and although she suffered many trials since that time she always knew where her Hope and Eternal Home were. She moved to St. John in the days leading up to her passing and was truly happy and blessed to have that time with family and grandchildren that were near her. She is survived by her four children; Rachell Anderson (Travis), Ryan Culbertson (Melynda), Levi Culbertson (Leslie) and Cassie Miller (Mark); her husband Tom; her mother Carol Gronholz; by her siblings Marc Gronholz (Debbie), Marcia Gronholz Engle (Dale) and her adored 18 grandchildren, nephews, a niece, and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her father Bob and her devoted grandparents. A Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be held Friday, March 27th at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Bruning Funeral Home, Colfax.