Margaret Mae Melchert (Bryson)
May 12, 1932 — January 1, 2014
Margaret Mae Melchert, 81, died January 1, 2014, at St. Luke’s Hospital Cedar Rapids, following an extended illness. Funeral Services will be 1:00 p.m. Sunday January 5, 2014, at Murdoch Funeral Home, 3855 Katz Dr, Marion, IA 52302 with Pastor John Albertson officiating. Committal services will be at Cedar Memorial Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. Friends may call at the funeral home from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, January 4, 2014.
Margaret was born May 12, 1932, in Parnell, Iowa to Arnold and Mary (McEvily) Bryson, and graduated from Williamsburg High School. On November 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 7 years Buddy.
She is survived by her son, Robert of Marion; her son, Ronald of Cedar Rapids; her son Mark (Sindi) of Saint 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 step-daughter, Elaine Michaels of Marion; and five step-grandchildren, 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.
Margaret was born May 12, 1932, in Parnell, Iowa to Arnold and Mary (McEvily) Bryson, and graduated from Williamsburg High School. On November 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 7 years Buddy.
She is survived by her son, Robert of Marion; her son, Ronald of Cedar Rapids; her son Mark (Sindi) of Saint 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 step-daughter, Elaine Michaels of Marion; and five step-grandchildren, 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.
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