Melanie Sheldahl
June 02, 2010
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Service Details
Melanie was born in Des Moines June 8, 1955 to M.G. “Duke” Mayo and Joy Bates. As a child she spent a great deal of her time enjoying travel with a motion picture company owned by her family. Melanie married in 1981 to Robert Sheldahl and they had a daughter, Erika in 1985.
Her greatest pride and joy in life was her family and they enjoyed many family vacations. Her favorite thing to do was be with her family and friends lounging on a raft in the water or horse back riding. From her childhood until recently she enjoyed an annual summer vacation in Lake Okoboji where family and friends shared many memories.
Melanie worked in insurance sales. She had a strong passion for cooking. According to family and friends, her cooking would put many of the world’s top chefs to shame. She was very personable and known for her ability to meet a complete stranger and turn them into her best friend in an hour or less.
Melanie is survived by her daughter, Erika Sheldahl of St. Petersburg, FL; mother, Joy Mueller and step-father, Benjamin Mueller of Des Moines; sister, Victoria Mayo; brother, Steven Mayo, both of Des Moines; and the love of her life, Robert Sheldahl of Silver Springs, FL. She was preceded in death by her father M.G. Mayo; grandmother, Eleanor Bates; and her childhood love and former husband, David Goddard.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 7, 2010 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Melanie's Great Aunt and Two Cousins
06/08/2010
In learning of Melanies passing, our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who loved and knew her Melanies immediate family, extended family and friends. Her kind heart and ready smile will always be our strong memory of Melanie.
Wilma Akins
Great Aunt, Ankeny, IA
Patrick and Faye Bates
Cousin, Santa Fe, NM
Bates@LightWorksMedia.biz
Michael and Jeaneen Bates
Cousin, Lafayette, LA
KRISTIE & FAYE @ LOFFREDO'S
06/08/2010
WE ARE SO SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR LOSS OF YOUR BELOVED DAUGHTER MELANIE. GOD HAS AN ANGEL. WITH OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY GOD BE WITH YOU & YOUR FAMILY AT THIS TIME.
OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS,
FAYE & KRISTIE
Susan Page Benson
06/07/2010
I love you all, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cindy Caudill-Nelson
06/06/2010
I can not tell you how saddened I am by your loss.
Melanie was the best part of my childhood, with a friendship that has lasted 40 years. From endless hours of horseback riding to shopping or just getting together it was always a good time.
One thing that comes to mind is catching lightening bugs and letting them go in Vicki's room.
Melanie was beautiful inside and out, she was a kind and generous person who never judged anyone for what they had or didn't have. She ended every phone call with "I love you" and every meeting with a kiss. She had a gift for making everyone she was with feel special.
She will always have a special place in my heart and will be missed dearly.
Melanie loved her family more than anything and Erika was her greatest joy.
My thoughts and prayers are with you now and always.
Love, Cindy Caudill-Nelson
Becky Lumley Cave
06/06/2010
I graduated with melaine.in 74 Moving to iowa from maine in the 5th grade she was the first friend i made. We had so much fun growing up what a beautiful, sweet person. how lucky i was to have known her.My heart is heavy today.My sincere sympathy to all family members.
Terri Demrody
06/05/2010
I am so sorry to hear about Melanie! She was such a great person! I have thought of her so much these past few days. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Linda Myers
06/05/2010
Melanie worked as an Insurance Sales Agent in our office at American Republic. As many have said she was infectious ... her smile and great heart made you feel like you had known her for a long time. I thought of her often and missed her when she was not around. It is tragic what happened to her and tragic for her to not be here as many of her friends have expressed. My prayers go out to her family and loved ones.
Sheryl Freel-McColley
06/05/2010
To the Family of Melanie,
I was a classmate of Melanies from North High. She was quite outgoing and was the life of our class. I could say that we were friends, not best friends, but I always felt as though she was warm and inviting to talk to. I was not popular in our high school class, actually more of a nerd - - however Melanie never did separate anyone into clicks or different groups - - she was friendly to everyone. She was always so tall and beautiful. I will always remember her as a beautiful person, inside and out, with that long glowing hair and infectious smile. The last I saw Melanie was in 2004 at our 30th class reunion. She looked just as beautiful as I had remembered. I live east of the Twin Cities now, but must say that our class has been excellent to communicate to one another in regards to news such as this. I am so sorry to hear of your loss, and will pray that God gives you the strength to bear the pain over the course of the next several months. God bless you all. To Melanie, we will unite again and I will look forward to seeing your beautiful smile one more time!
Renee Dallas
06/05/2010
Melanie was a dear friend to me for many years. She was so vibrant, passionate and beautiful. You couldn't spend time with Mel and not have fun. Her life orbited around the daughter that she loved so much. I haven't seen or talked to Mel in a few years, but I love her just the same. My heart goes out to Erika and the rest of her family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Guy Reese
06/05/2010
I'm very sorry to hear about Melanie. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Guy Reese
Carolyn Tibbetts
06/04/2010
I feel so blessed that Melanie and her family were a part of my life.
Although I have not seen Mel for several years(I live in Ohio,) I have
kept up with Mel through a close group of friends. I would always look
forward to the times when I would visit in Des Moines and our group of
girlfriends would gather at Melanie's or we would meet in Chicago for
someone's birthday. Melanie was very thoughtful and kind. When I think of
Mel It brings a smile to my face, she always could make me laugh and
she did light up a room with her smile! I have known Mel for 40 years,
and there were times we went several years without seeing each other,
yet when we did it was like we had never missed a beat. My love and
deepest sympathy to Erika, Vicki, Stevie, Bob and everyone who loved Mel
I will always think of the great times I had with her
Love and Prayers,
Carolyn Tibbetts
Al & Peg Minear
06/04/2010
Message for Erica
We are so sorry for your loss & doubly sorry that we cannot tell you this in person. We will be out of town from approximately noon on Mon.until Tuesday afternoon so will be unable to attend either the visitation or the funeral service. We feel terrible about this but it cannot be helped. Your mom was a lovely lady with a huge heart and loved everyone. She will be missed greatly by many people.
Love, Al & Peg--your old neighbors
Dale Goddard
06/04/2010
Thoughts and prayers be with you and your family. Respectfully the Dale Goddard FAMILY / GOD BLESS.
Valerie Montgomery
06/04/2010
How true about Melanie's ability to meet people and embrace them as friends forever. To know her was to love her.
My heartfelt condolences to her family.
Brian Walter
06/04/2010
Hi I was always a joy to know Melanie. She had a great laugh and smile we all will miss her. I knew her from North High, we graduated in the same class and I know personally the loss of a wife myself and parents. God Bless you guys and I will be praying for you. She was loved a lot here on this earth and now she is in God's hands what a grand place to be.