Margaret Mae Melchert, 12 May 1932 - 01 Jan 2014

MELCHERT, BRYSON, MCEVILY, KELSEY, MICHAELS

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 3/1/2014 at 18:37:03

Marion

Margaret Mae Melchert, 81, died Jan. 1, 2014, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids, following an extended illness. Funeral Services will be 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, at Murdoch Funeral Home, 3855 Katz Dr., Marion, IA 52302, with Pastor John Albertson officiating. Committal services will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. Friends may call at the funeral home from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4.

Margaret was born May 12, 1932, in Parnell, Iowa, to Arnold and Mary (McEvily) Bryson, and graduated from Williamsburg High School. On Nov. 5, 1954, she was united in marriage to Oscar (Mel) Melchert in Milwaukee.

Margaret trained in nursing and spent many years raising and nurturing her family. For many of the last 18 years she volunteered her time with the Red Cross chapter in Cedar Rapids. She served many humanitarian assignments over the course of her time with the Red Cross, which included such missions as Guam and three tours in New York after the 9/11 tragedy.

She always enjoyed a good conversation, spending time with friends and loved family gatherings and the holidays. She had two loyal companions in her Maltese dogs: Sammie, and over the last seven years, Buddy.

She is survived by her son, Robert of Marion; her son, Ronald of Cedar Rapids; her son, Mark (Sindi) of St. Louis; three grandsons, Adam (Keely), Brady and Michael; and one granddaughter, Malayne. She has one great-granddaughter, Pearl; her sister, Elaine (Bill) Kelsey of Davenport; her stepdaughter, Elaine Michaels of Marion; and five stepgrandchildren, Sharon, Sheryl, Donna, Dawn and Larry Jr.; and many nieces and nephews, all of whom she held dear to her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar E. Melchert (1996); her parents, Arnold (1978) and Mary (1969); along with two brothers, Delaine and Glen Bryson.

Margaret believed in going through life with a smile on her face; if you knew her, she tried to be everyone’s friend.

Thank you to all who have supported her over the years and especially to all the family and friends, along with the nursing and doctor staff at St. Luke’s Hospital and Summit Pointe Assisted Living Center who showed such loving care and compassion.

Condolences may be left at: www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published Jan. 3, 2014 in The Gazette