Arlene Marie Melson

Arlene Marie (Brzuszkiewicz) Melson

1951 - 2019

Recommend Arlene Marie's obituary to your friends
Share Your Memory of
Arlene Marie

Obituary of Arlene Marie (Brzuszkiewicz) Melson

Arlene Marie (Brzuszkiewicz) Melson, age 68, passed away on Friday, October 4, 2019 in Black River Falls, Wisconsin from complications of Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). Arlene was born on August 26, 1951 in Evanston, Illinois to Eugene J. and Mary Ann (Majkowski) Brzuszkiewicz. She graduated from Wheeling High School in 1969 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Northeast Missouri State University and a master’s degree from St. Ambrose University.  

Upon graduation from Northeast Missouri State University, she married James (Jim) R. Melson in 1974 and moved to Muscatine, Iowa. For over 40 years, she was a dedicated, full-time and substitute teacher for the Muscatine School District and retired in 2016. In retirement, Arlene visited family and friends, cheered on both the Hawkeyes and Cyclones, and took in the beautiful nature of Wisconsin.

 

Arlene was a well-known member of the community. She was involved in hospice care, Grace Lutheran Church, Muscatine Booster Club, P.E.O., T.T.T. Society, and served on the Board of Directors for Lutheran Homes. Because of her avid volunteerism and advocacy for others, she was awarded the Governor’s Volunteer Award from Terry Branstad.  

Arlene was a voracious reader who thrived on science, research, and was especially curious about the unknown. Also, she enjoyed dancing, painting and traveling. Most of all, Arlene loved her family. With her encouragement, even the stars were attainable. Throughout her life, she cherished being able to create priceless moments with her beloved children and precious granddaughters. Arlene’s infectious laughter, eternal optimism, unwavering strength, unconditional kindness and selflessness, and ability to find beauty in everything will be indescribably missed.

 

Arlene is survived by her son, Christopher Melson of Des Moines, Iowa; daughters, Stephanie (Michael) Melson Shepard of Black River Falls, Wisconsin and Katherine (Matthew) Melson Johnson of Ankeny, Iowa; grandchildren, Elvy, Mhari, Mattie and Kindrie; mother Mary Ann Brzuszkiewicz of Wheeling, Illinois; brother, Eugene (Susan) Brzuszkiewicz of Lancaster, California and Michael (Carol)  Brzuszkiewicz of Lake Zurich, Illinois; sister-in-law Jane Mathison of Ames, Iowa; nieces and nephews Randall (Christina) Mathison, Margaret Mathison, Neil Brzuszkiewicz, Michelle (Andrew) Brzuszkiewicz Martin, Kristen (Mark) Brzuszkiewicz Whitaker, and Branson Brzuszkiewicz. Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, father, in-laws Richard and Eva Mae Melson, and brother-in-law John Mathison. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Mayo Clinic. Please specify that it goes to MSA research, Dr. Phillip Low and that you are donating on behalf of Arlene Melson.

The family will receive friends and family from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2019 at the Geo. M. Wittich-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services, 2907 Mulberry Avenue, Muscatine. A service to celebrate Arlene’s life will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. at the funeral home.  Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Following the interment, please join the family for refreshments and friendship in the Geo. M Wittich-Lewis Community Room. Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.lewisfuneralhomes.com. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Arlene Marie Melson, please visit Tribute Store
Friday
11
October

Visitation

4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Friday, October 11, 2019
Geo M. Wittich-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services
2907 Mulberry Avenue
Muscatine, Iowa, United States
563-263-8112
Saturday
12
October

Service

9:00 am
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Geo M. Wittich-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services
2907 Mulberry Avenue
Muscatine, Iowa, United States
563-263-8112
Saturday
12
October

Burial

10:00 am
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Greenwood Cemetery
1814 Lucas Street
Muscatine, Iowa, United States
563-263-7051

Refreshments and Friendship

Following the interment, please join the family for refreshments and friendship in the Geo. M Wittich-Lewis Community Room.