Melissa Christine Wilson

Melissa Wilson, 44, passed away unexpectedly after a brief battle with COVID on January 24, 2022 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. She was born on January 19, 1978 to Charles and Kristy Duerkes in Augsburg, Germany.

Chuck and Kris retired from the US Army, moved to Denver, CO and then on to Boone, IA. After her father’s passing, Melissa and mother, Kris, planted their roots in Des Moines, IA. During her high school years, mutual friends had introduced Jason to Melissa, the love of his life.

Melissa graduated from East High School in 1995. She went on to study numerous topics at Iowa State University, DMACC, and ultimately graduated from AIB in 2001 where she earned her Associate’s Degree in Computer Programming.

Melissa Christine (aka Mobee, Aunt Mo, Mel) and Jason Wesley wed in 2002 and welcomed their first child, Charles Wilbur, to their budding family the following year. After 10 years of savoring ‘the parenting experience’, they then unleashed not one, but two more Wilson boys upon this world; Quinn Sage and Jack Wesley. They immediately began their adventure of awesome-osity following right behind in big brother’s footsteps.

Mobee was an insatiably voracious reader the extent of which was unlimited. So much so her selection of a home was influenced by how many built-in bookcases it featured. This, coupled with the understanding Jason should never be allowed to experiment, ‘engineer’, take apart, create, or mess around with anything within the confines of an attached garage for any reason, at any cost. The Wilsons enjoyed all manner of family togetherness; fishing, camping, mushroom hunting, beekeeping, gardening, playing video games and reading with her boys. Above all else, Melissa treasured time spent with her family, especially her boys.

She was most recently an Engagement Manager – VP for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, where she had been employed almost 20 years. During her tenure, many of her co-workers and employees became lifelong friends. She loved to help, develop, and mentor all those around her. She became known by many as a concise and strong, yet fair leader who had fun with her team and inspired her colleagues to achieve.


Melissa is survived by her husband, Jason; sons, Charles, and twins Quinn and Jack; mother, Kris Duerkes; her best friend and Jason’s best man, Brad Hoisington; mother-in-law, Diane Wilson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Steve and Lisa Sharp, and their son, Hudson. Her extremely fuzzy children include KITTEH (Big Fuzz/Walter), and recent addition of puppy sisters; Ivy Did It (Ivy) and Artemis Clyde Dog (Artie). She was preceded in death by her father, Chuck Duerkes, and father-in-law, Wilbur Wilson.

Cremation has occurred and a Celebration of Life will hopefully be able to take place at a later date due to the needlessly ongoing COVID pandemic.

Contributions, in memory of Melissa, may be directed to organizations she was passionate about; Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Planned Parenthood of North Central States, Food Bank of Iowa, or Habitat for Humanity.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Print