Ruth E. Melsa

Ruth Elizabeth Melsa, age 85, of Marengo, passed away Monday, June 4, 2018 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Funeral Services will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 9, 2018 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Marengo, with Pastor Andrew Gray officiating. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, June 8, 2018 at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo. Burial will be in the Marengo Cemetery. Memorials can be contributed to the family in Ruth’s name. Kloster Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Ruth is survived by her children, Joanna Melsa and husband Terry Branscomb, Larry Melsa, Leona Carlough, and Michael Melsa and girlfriend Rocksand; two granddaughters, Jeaniejo Bailey and Tiah Carlough; four great-grandchildren; two siblings Della Stevens, and Richard Meyer and wife Marietta. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and seven brothers, David, Vernon, Leonard, Edward, Melvin, Floyd, and John Meyer.

Ruth was born January 28, 1933, on a farm west of Williamsburg, the daughter of Floyd G. and Alice E. Mumm Meyer. She graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1951. She was baptized at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on February 19, 1933 and confirmed in 1950. She married Leonard Melsa on August 26, 1961. Ruth was employed by Amana Refrigeration as an inspector from 1951- 1998 retiring from there. She also helped her husband with the “melon business” for many years. Ruth enjoyed playing the accordion, riding her bike, taking the family trips to Adventureland, and one to Florida, writing letters, water aerobics and going for walks. She especially loved to visit with friends and relatives, the gathering during the holidays, attending her granddaughters activities, and going dancing, where she met her husband.