HANAK, Melanie

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, Arizona, Tuesday, April 27, 2010 Melanie Grinstead-Hanak, 54, of Cambria, Calif., went to heaven April 27, 2010. She was born to the late Natalie and John Grinstead in Kansas City, Mo. She graduated from North Kansas City High School in 1974 and received a BS in hotel and restaurant administration from Oklahoma State University in 1979. She married Donald Hanak in 1990, and lived in Lake Havasu City before relocating to Cambria, Calif., in 2008. Melanie and her husband operate a nationwide executive and middle management search and recruiting business. Previously, she worked as a general manager for a leading restaurant company, and owned and operated a specialty bakery. In 1998, Melanie was elected mayor of Lake Havasu City, garnering 68 percent of the vote in the primary. Previously, she served as vice mayor for four years; and was a city councilwoman from 1991 to 1998. She was passionate about making Lake Havasu City a better place in which to live. Melanie was active in the United Methodist Church, London Bridge Civitan Club (founder and past president), United Way Campaign representative, past president of Republican Women, member of Lakeside Church — Joel Osteen Ministries, Havasu For Youth director, member of the Arizona and Lake Havasu City Town Halls, Sister City, AAUW, and Special Olympics. Melanie is survived by her husband, Donald Hanak, of Cambria, Calif.; half-sister, Vanessa Sakulenski, of Highland Village, Texas; half-brother, Mike Grinstead, of Kansas City, Mo.; and six loving dogs, Lopey, Tiger, Katie, Joel, Joy and Faith. Condolences and thoughts can be made to her family at dhanak@dnhsearch.com Arrangements were entrusted to Reis Family Mortuary, San Luis Obispo, Calif.