Leona Melhus

LEONA MELHUS

Newhall

Leona Barbara Schminke Melhus, 102, of Newhall, died Thursday, July 17, 2014, at Lantern Park Nursing and Rehab, Coralville. Celebration of Life services will be 10 a.m. Monday, July 21, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 805 Highway 151 W., Walford, with Pastor Travis Borkosky officiating. Visi-tation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 20, at the church. Burial will be at the family burial site, Lutheran Cemetery, Norway.

Leona was born March 24, 1912, to Henry and Elizabeth (Rinderknecht) Schminke. She was baptized into her faith April 21, 1912, at St. Stephens Lutheran Church, Atkins.

On Aug. 31, 1938, she was united in marriage to Clarence A. Melhus. Together they farmed and had three children. Clarence died Oct. 3, 1948.

Growing up during the Depression she knew about working hard and providing for her family. She was employed until she was 70, retiring from Joens Brothers Interiors as a bookkeeper. Her dream of becoming a nurse was partially fulfilled as a volunteer at St. Luke's Hospital, with over 3,000 hours. She loved reaching out and giving to others. In 2006, she received the Iowa Governor's Award for volunteering. She also was active at Kirkwood's Heritage Agency on Aging. Leona was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, was a Sunday School superintendent, 40-year choir member and Women's ECWU treasurer.

She lived alone until age 101, and if you visited her you will remember the homemade cookies she had ready for you. She cherished her family, was very proud of their accomplishments and would love to show you her latest photos, of which she had many.

She is survived by two daughters, Kathleen A. (William) Stickney, North Liberty, and Carol L. Schirm, Cedar Rapids; one son, Kenneth C. (Sheila) Melhus, Papillion, Neb.; five grandchildren, Steven W. (Lynette) Stickney, Marion, Stacy E. (John) Stickney Ferguson, Minneapolis, Jon C. (Patti) Stickney Sr., Barrington, Ill., Kendra D. (Bobby) Malik, Omaha, Neb., and Michael J. (Abbey) Melhus, Ralston, Neb. Leona had 12 great-grandchildren, Jon C. "J.C." Stickney Jr., Connor C. Stickney, Kelly W. Stickney, Lee S. Stickney, Nathaniel P. Ferguson, Paige E. Ferguson, Annika J. H. Melhus, Eliana J. Melhus, Eowyn E. Melhus, Jovie A. Melhus, Morgan P. Malik and Tyson R. Malik. Also surviving are two sisters-in-law and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by seven siblings: brothers Walter, Edwin, Henry Jr., Wilmer and Carl, and two sisters, Edna Haerther and Hilda Maurer; and two grandsons, Jeffrey A. Schirm and Brian C. Schirm.

She will be remembered as the matriarch of her family, her beautiful faith in God and how she was happy with what she had.

Brosh Funeral Service of Norway is serving the family.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.hrabakfuneral home.com under obituaries.