Obituary of Kathryn Mellecker

Kathryn “Kathy” M. Mellecker, age 81, of Wellman, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026, surrounded by family.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hills.  Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the Mass.  Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery.

Kathy was born on December 29,1944 at Ottumwa Regional Medical Center to Francis and Allyenne (James) Hamilton of Hiteman, Iowa. Kathy graduated from Albia High School in 1963. Following graduation, she attended the University of Northern Iowa.  Kathy was united in marriage to Robert Mellecker on April 27, 1968, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia.

Kathy worked as a proof-reader and printing press operator for Moore Business Forms for many years.  After working for Moore, she held several different positions including the Medicare hotline with Pearson’s.

Kathy loved the outdoors.  She enjoyed deer and turkey hunting with Bob and their son, Andy.  She enjoyed bird watching and kept notes as she watched the Decorah Eagle cam.  Kathy was a life-long learner and enjoyed reading.  She had a vast array of knowledge, and her family would team up against her in order to beat her at Trivial Pursuit.  She loved Star Trek and considered herself a Trekkie.  Kathy was a very open-minded individual, which she instilled in her children as well.  She had a fun-loving personality and always enjoyed a good pun. 

She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and a former member of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Kathy’s family includes two children: Debbie (Bob) Diederichsen of Wellman and Andy Mellecker (Tonya)of Bettendorf. She was the very proud Grandma/Mimi to five grandchildren: Briana (Dan) Redalieu of Mary Esther, Florida, Felix Branwen of Davenport, Allene Shapiro of Parissipany, New Jersey, Stephanie Mellecker of Bettendorf, and Jonathan Shapiro of Wellman. She had a great love for family and friends, and leaves behind brothers Allen (Dalene) Hamilton, Gene Hamilton and sisters-in-law: Katy Simon, Lois Zeman, Marcia Mellecker and Karen Hamilton. She will also be missed by many cousins, nieces and nephews and treasured friends.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, including her beloved stepmother, Edna; husband, Bob; son, Carl; two brothers, Jim and Tom Hamilton, and in-laws: Rosie and Dick Cress, Frank Zeman, Marvin Simon, and Leo and Lois Mellecker. She will be greatly missed by all that knew her.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Kathy’s name to the following organizations: Iowa City Hospice, Wellman Public Library or Wellman Volunteer Ambulance Service.