Melanie J. Hielsberg

Melanie J. (Steffanus) Hielsberg, age 77, of Oshkosh, died at her daughter's home in Superior, Colorado on Monday, July 27, 2009 surrounded by all her children. She was born on March 28, 1932 in Ellis, Wisconsin at the family homestead in Stonehurst, to the late Martin and Lucy Ellen (Simonis) Steffanus. Melanie married Arnold Hielsberg of Oshkosh on October 9, 1954, after graduating from the Mercy School of Nursing. Melanie and Arnie celebrated 50 years of marriage with a huge celebration before Arnie's death in June of 2005. Her profession was very important to her and she took great pride in her service as a nurse, working at Winnebago Mental Health Insitute on the children's unit for 36 years retiring from there in 1990. She was on the bargaining team for the nurses union in Madison and was recognized for her outstanding service as a nurse with an award. Her nursing classmates were very important to her and were counted amongst her many dear friends. She was a member of St. John's Catholic Church and taught catechism at Sacred Heart Church. She truly enjoyed the art of music, taking great joy in listening to her operas and classical music and also playing the violin herself. Reading was extremely important to her, as was writing and recieving letters. She had and shared her many gifts such as sewing, canning, playing golf, playing cards and cooking. She was a researcher and was the "keeper of the stories" of the heritage of our families from both the Steffanus and Hielsberg side. She was known for the most amazing pies and loved dessert. Everyone was always welcome to stay for dinner and amazingly there was always enough at her table. She was always ready to lend an ear for her children and grandchildren and could always come up with some inspirational advice. There are mothers who follow their children throughout their lives from event to event, but great mothers are mothers whose children choose to follow them. She was a great mother and grandmother. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her. Her memory will be cherished and she is survived by her loving children, John (JF) - (Marsha) Hielsberg of Oshkosh, Sharon (Scott) Roberts of Superior, Colorado, Janice (Steven) Allen of Omro and Lucy Hielsberg-Cowling of Neenah; five grandchildren, Zachary and Lucas Allen, Matthew and Stephanie Cowling, and Michael Roberts. Also, two step grandchildren, Sara (Eric) Esser and Lisa Hanagan and three step great-grandchildren, Eric Jr., Marissa and Jacksoon Esser. Further surviving are a brother, Wilfred (Agnes) Steffanus; three sisters, Elizabeth (john) Speth, Jeanne (William) Rogers and Avis (Louis) Wysocki; 42 nieces and nephews and 3 godchildren. Melanie was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Steffanus and a sister, Rose Skibba. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Melanie on Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Jude Parish, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, corner of Knapp and 6th Streets in Oshkosh, with the Reverend Fr. William Vande Kreeke as celebrant. A time of visitation and support will be held for the Hielsberg family on Friday evening from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Fiss & Bills-Poklasny Funeral Home, 865 S. Westhaven Drive. There will be a 7p.m. prayer service at the funeral home. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday from 10 am until the time of Mass. Burial will take place privately with the family in St. Martin's Catholic Cemetery in Ellis, Wisconsin. A memorial fund will be established in Melanie's name. Fiss & Bills-Poklasny Funeral Home 865 S. Westhaven Drive Oshkosh 920-235-1170

Melanie J. Hielsberg

March 28, 1932 - July 27, 2009

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