Obit: Melde, Shelley Rae (Holt) (1963 - 2017)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Melde, Mabie, Holt, Harnish, Kroll

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/25/2017

Melde, Shelley Rae (Holt) (9 January 1963 – 18 January 2017)

Shelley Rae (Holt) Melde, 54, of La Crosse and formerly of Black River Falls died unexpectedly after a brief illness. She was born Jan. 9, 1963, in Neillsville to James and Cheryl (Mabie) Holt. She married Gary William Melde June 21, 2003. Although they did not have any biological children together, Shelley’s daughter, Leah Raye Ann, from a previous marriage, honored Gary, and Shelley by legally changing her last name to Melde.

Shelley was a devoted wife, loving mother, caring daughter, sister, and friend. Shelley loved to cook for her family and could always be counted upon to cheer on her Green Bay Packers! Shelley had a heart of gold, and enjoyed caring for others, which was especially evident in her chosen career as a job coach at Ability Building Center (ABC) at La Crescent, MN, where she supported and nurtured the participants. Shelley was known for her beautiful smile, wonderful sense of humor and enthusiastic laugh, which was contagious. Shelley believed deeply in God’s abundant love and always looked for the good in others. Shelley was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

Shelley is survived by her father, James of Black River Falls; husband Gary of La Crosse; daughter Leah of French Island/La Crosse; two sisters, Amy Holt of Holmen, and Sherry Holt (Tom Harnish) of Black River Falls and La Crosse; aunts, uncles, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Shelley was preceded in death by her cousin, Jonathan Kroll of Neillsville and her beloved mother, Cheryl, of Black River Falls; it is of great comfort to the family knowing mother and daughter are reunited in heaven.

An open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at Coulee Region Cremation Group, located at 133 Mason St. in Onalaska. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. with Father Nathan Kroll officiating.