Glenda L. Alexia

Glenda Lee Grimmius Alexia, 74 of Grundy Center, Iowa passed away peacefully on August 5, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. She fought through three separate diagnoses with remarkable strength, resilience, and grace.

Born May 4, 1951, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Willis and Louise (Calton) Grimmius, Glenda graduated from Grundy Center High School in 1969, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from Iowa State University in 1972. A member of the Mensa Society, Glenda excelled academically (making the Dean’s List several times) and was also second chair of the ISU Orchestra’s French Horn section. Her musical talents extended beyond the French Horn to playing Classical Piano of works by Wagner, Beethoven, Mozart, Fontana, and Kopprasch to name a few. She later obtained a Master’s degree in Engineering from ISU in 1983.

Glenda had a distinguished engineering career developing theorems on the Queuing Theory, Intelligent Systems, Expert Systems, and Voice Recognition Systems. Employed by Hughes Aircraft Company in El Segundo, California after graduating in 1983, Glenda was one of the first female engineers to lead Hughes Radar Systems Group Research & Development department. She was recognized for several Engineer Awards within the company. Her career took her to the Wright Patterson Air Force Base- Air Force Research Labs (Dayton, Ohio), where she would be the first Engineering Fellow to represent the company as an Engineer Leader on AFRL’s base. She was transferred to Hughes Aircraft’s headquarters in Arlington, VA/Washington DC as the Hughes R&D Manager overseeing the Departments of Airborne Fighter Radar, Airborne & Terrestrial Missile Systems, and Airborne Optical/Electronic Technologies.

In 1985, Glenda married Dr. Barry M. Alexia in Grundy Center, Iowa. Together they raised three children: Adrianne Alexia of Tiffin, Iowa, Yale Alexia of Waterloo, Iowa, and Ian Alexia of Marion, Iowa. Glenda retired from Hughes Aircraft in 1997 to dedicate herself to her family, supporting her children’s many activities. She hardly ever missed one of her kids’ events. She was an active member of the Grundy Center Women’s Club and an author sponsor at the Kling Memorial Library.

Glenda loved music, gardening, and solving complex Sudoku puzzles. She was often found with a cup of coffee and reading a good book.

Glenda will be deeply missed. She is survived by her husband, children, sister Eileen (Ron) Flater, brother Dale (Shelly) Grimmius, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willis and Louise Grimmius.

A private burial and Celebration of Life will be held at-a-later date. Memorials may be directed to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation or a cancer research charity of your choice.