Melinda Teresita Grefsrud

Melinda Teresita Grefsrud of Torrance, California passed away on December 25, 2024. She was 68 years of age. She was born in Manila, Philippines on March 8, 1956. Melinda received a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Development from the University of the Philippines and worked at the Philippine Tourism Authority as a Project Officer. Melinda immigrated to the United States in August 1984 settling in Dallas, Texas. She worked at Dallas Aerial Surveys, Inc. as a Secretary/Bookkeeper. Melinda married Rick Grefsrud on March 20, 1987 and in July 1989 they relocated to San Jose, California. Melinda worked at Solectron Corporation, Metricom, Inc., Fujitsu Holdings, Inc., and Aerotek holding positions in payroll, administration, and human resources. Melinda, Rick, and Zak relocated to Torrance, California in June 2004. She worked at 7UP/RC Bottling Co., Los Angeles as an HR Benefits Administrator and in 2006 she worked at LA BioMed as an HR Benefits Administrator until she retired in 2018.
Melinda grew up in Manila with a nearby large extended family with frequent gatherings and visits to Bulacan and Agoo, La Union. She was an avid reader and had a love of music having played the organ and guitar. She enjoyed attending concerts and was an active member of a local Manila Citizen’s Band radio club. Melinda’s work in the Philippine Tourism Authority requiring visits throughout the country drove a love for travel. Her travels with Rick, Zak, and family members included visits to Hawaii, Arizona, Las Vegas, New York City, Nashville, San Diego, San Francisco, Philippines, Japan, France, Italy, and Cancun. Being a child-at-heart, her love for all-things cute such as Hello Kitty and Disney included stays and visits to Aulani, Tokyo Disneyland, DisneySea, Disneyland, and California Adventure; and participation in Disney sponsored 5k runs. She enjoyed time at both Anaheim Disney parks and loved to help family and friends experience the parks to their fullest. Melinda held a love for a broad range of music including Broadway, Disney classics, country, pop, P-pop, K-pop, rock, and heavy metal with her favorites being Bon Jovi, Keith Urban, and SB19. Attending concerts with family and friends was a favorite activity especially when coupled with out-of-town travel.
Melinda is survived by her husband Rick, son Zak, her brothers Ernesto Gonzales, Eduardo
Gonzales and preceded by her father Ernesto Gonzales, and her mother Teresita Gonzales.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, January 24, 2025 at Green Hills Memorial Park, Lakeside Location in Rancho Palos Verdes, California with burial following the service. All family and friends are welcome to join a lunch reception at Riviera Mexican Cantina, Redondo Beach following the services. Attire for the services are comfortable with Hawaiian and Disney themes encouraged.
The family is grateful for your support and in lieu of cut flowers encourage donations to your favorite charitable organizations in honor of Melinda Grefsrud.