Phillipsburg resident, Gradda Tien, passed away Saturday, December 21, 2013 at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg at the age of 106 years. She was born June 7, 1907 in Prairie View, KS the daughter of John & Hattie (Schemper) Velhuizen. She was a homemaker.

She was united in marriage to Garrit Tien on February 2, 1927 in Tracy, Iowa.  He preceded her in death on April 21, 1971.

Survivors include 7 children, Henrietta Van Kooten of Long Island, KS, Marie Bousema of Worthington, MN, Dorothy Huyser and husband Gerald of Des Moines, IA, Arlo Gale Tien and wife Carolyn of Prairie View, KS, Edward Tien and wife Barb of Phillipsburg, KS, Rosalee Verhoef of Artesia, CA, and Carmen Van Beek of Boyden, IA; a brother Dale Veldhuizen of Oskaloosa, IA, one sister Veda Bousema of Sanborn, IA.; 27 grandchildren, 72 great-grandchildren, and 52 great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 26, 2013 in the Luctor Christian Reformed Church, Phillips County, KS, with Gale Tien officiating.  Burial will follow in the Luctor Cemetery, Phillips County.

Mrs. Tien will lie in state from Noon until 5 p.m. Monday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and the family will receive friends from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday for visitation all at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Luctor Christian Reformed Church, Phillips County Retirement Center or Hospice Services, Inc.

Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, P. O. Box 563, Phillipsburg, KS 67661 is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be left at www.olliffboeve.com.