Kela Keolale’a Grotefend: Obituary

Kela Keolale’a Grotefend

Kela Keolale’a Grotefend, age 16, of Murphy, died Wednesday, June 19, 2019 in Swain County as the result of an automobile accident. She was born in Dallas, Texas on October 5, 2002. Kela was an upcoming junior at Hiwassee Dam High School and was on the yearbook staff. She enjoyed singing, was a talented writer and editor, and earned her black belt in Tae Kwon Do at the age of 12. She loved animals especially cats. She was a natural counselor to many troubled teens online and passionate about helping others. She touched many lives with her light.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, William Henry and Lorena Sims Grotefend.

Surviving are her parents, Donald E. Grotefend and Julie A. Royal-Grotefend of Murphy; a sister Maya M. Grotefend of the home; and maternal grandparents, Frank Ralph and Elizabeth Margaret Hull of Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, 2019 in the Chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy with Mitchell Prince officiating. The interment will be in the Grotefend Family Cemetery. Pallbearers willl be Mike Hull, Jeff Kane, Gary Easter, Dodge Kenyon, Ed Bloom, and Jeff Patterson.

The family will receive friends from 12:00-1:45 p.m. Wednesday at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy prior to the services.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of all arrangements.