116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
Nancy Melsa
NANCY LOU MELSA
Hiawatha
Nancy Lou Melsa, 75, of Hiawatha, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, May 6, 2017, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy. Celebration of life services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 10, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids. Burial will follow in Czech National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, at Brosh Chapel.
Nancy was born Nov. 26, 1941, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Thais Stieger. She graduated from Jefferson High School, Class of 1959. Nancy was united in marriage to Richard A. Melsa on Oct. 7, 1961, in Cedar Rapids. She worked at Mercy Medical Center and St. Luke's Hospital for many years, until she began raising her family. While raising her five daughters, she operated an in-home daycare for many families. She enjoyed bingo, volunteering at sporting events at Kingston Stadium for many years, baking her favorite recipes for others and was known for bringing a smile to others. She was a longtime member of the Kennedy Booster Club and the Hiawatha City Council. Family was very important to her, as she was there at all of the grandchildren's events, time spent at "The Boathouse" at Ellis Harbor, and creating any reasons for a family gathering.
Nancy is survived by her husband of over 55 years, Richard; her five daughters, Michelle Melsa of Bradenton, Fla., Lisa (Steve) Foley of Swisher, Angela (Chris) Melsa Worrell of Solon and Amy (Jason) Davis and Sara (Chuck) Melsa Whited, both of Robins; seven grandchildren, Taylor, Cole, Jackson, Spencer, Seth, Sam and Elbe; her brother, Greg Stieger of Cedar Rapids; as well as nieces, a nephew, numerous cousins including two special cousins, Rita Franklin and Jerrine Pippert; and her many friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother; her brother, Mike Stieger; and a nephew, Casey Stieger.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
The family would like to extend a special thank-you to Dr. Mary Anne Nelson, Hiawatha Police, Fire and Ambulance, the staff at Hiawatha Care Center and Hospice of Mercy for their loving care for Nancy and her family.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.
Daily Newsletters