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Melinda Jane Edwards
09/17/1957 — 01/02/2022
From Kennewick, WA
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Celebration Of Life
Kennewick WA
Melinda Jane Edwards
Celebration of Life of Melinda Jane Edwards
Melinda Jane was born September 17, 1957 to LeRoy and Fern Eastberg in Fremont, NE. She joined brother, Jimmy and sister Beverly.
Melinda grew up in Uehling, NE attending Uehling Elementary and graduating from Logan View Jr-Sr High in 1975. She was a member of the United Church of Christ where she attended Sunday School, was confirmed, and participated in choir and various programs. Her grandparents, Edgar and Grace Eastberg, greatly inspired her faith life along with her teacher Bernice Clough. Music was a big part of both church and school.
Upon graduation, Melinda moved to Omaha and started working for Millard Lumber. It was there she met her first husband, Mike Saalfeld. They welcomed their first daughter, Traci Lee in the fall of 1976. The next year they built their first house in Millard,NE. In spring of 1983, they welcomed their second daughter, Rhonda Kim. The dream for both Melinda and Mike was to move out of state so in 1987, they moved the family to Washington state. Several years passed and Melinda and Mike grew apart and amicably divorced.
Melinda and the girls became members of Messiah Lutheran Church in Auburn which was a great fit for them. Melinda met Brent Edwards and there they fell in love. Brent and Melinda decided to blend their families in the spring of 1991. They made their home in Pacific, WA. In 2001 an opportunity led them to Kennewick in Eastern WA. They built their home there and enjoyed the weather and light traffic. Bethlehem Lutheran became their church home.
Washington employment for Melinda included K-Mart, Young Development, Mueller Development, Good Chevrolet, and since September 2001, McCurley Integrity Dealerships where she was the 1st Fleet Admin for the company.
Melinda enjoyed many hobbies including counted cross stitch, quilting, reading, collecting poetry and inspirational verses. She loved singing as well as camping with Brent, sharing their faith and love of God.
Family is very important to Melinda. She is survived by her best friend and loving husband, Brent; daughter Traci (Rob) Donohue of Buckley, WA; daughter Rhonda (Jim) Beard of Lakeville, MN; stepdaughter Sarah (Brian) Stoeffler of Sahuarita, AZ; and stepson John (Krystal) Edwards of Bonney Lake, WA. Grandchildren include: Braden & Alissa Donohue; Jimmy, Madilyn and Lillian Beard; stepgrands Angelyka Besaw, Kaiden and Brie Edwards. Melinda is also survived by stepmom, Glenice Eastberg; brother Jim (Barb) Eastberg; sister Bev (Ron) Duncan; sister Andrea (Tim) Ristau, stepbrothers, Jeff (Deb) Wegner; Rod Wegner, and many nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.
Memorials can be given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church “music” programs (https://blcbls.org ); You Medical (https://www.youmedical.org/) ; as well as the Australia Zoo for “Koala” Care (https://www.australiazoo.com.au/support-wildlife/ ).
My dearest Melinda (mom), my heart breaks for Brent and your family. I didn’t have an opportunity to be with you on the day you were put to rest which was a tough day for everyone I’m sure and myself. I was able to view the service online which was conforting. I’ll never forget our time together. We had lots of laughs, and sometime tears. Probably the reason you called me “son” all those years. I’m sure you will continue to enjoy your hobbies, actibites and the catch up with the loved ones lost prior to you leaving eveyone. You were one of a kind, the best kind. All of our love to you, Brent and your family.
I am so sorry for you loss. Melinda was a true inspiration to me. All though I have only known her for a few years here at McCurely we became very close. I looked forward to paydays just so I could go over to fleet to deliver checks to her. She always had a beautiful smile and I was always amazed by her amazing complexion you would never know by looking at her the struggles she was going threw medically . I am very sorry for your families loss and will continue to pray for the healing of everyone heart. I know you all meant so much to Melinda.
My beloved brother Brent, your dear one Melinda is safe in a Jehovah God’s memory and will be returned to a beautiful paradise earth, as Jesus promised. All my love, Kim
I worked with “Missy” in the Pasco Autoplex at McCurley, and she was an awesome person to be around. We worked in different sales departments, but every time I needed help or had a question, she was always the go-to person that was willing to help, and so nice about it. Just the happy, cheerful, “Missy”.
She was part of my “work family” at McCurley, and she will be missed incredibly.
Dearest Brent and Family:
Words simply cannot express the sadness and emptiness that we all feel with Melinda’s passing. She was a true friend, and always sending birthday wishes, prayers, whatever was needed at the time. She was truly a gift from God and will be so missed. She is now singing with all the Angels and Saints in heaven, and God is forever holding her in His arms. She is looking down on all of us, and will continue to send us messages of love, hope and inspire each of us in our daily lives. It was an honor and privilege to know her, to love her, and to be with her. We have missed you both since you moved to the Tri Cities. We used to love our dinners together, the kids just being kids, barbecuing, talking, and just enjoying each other’s company. One day we will be together again. For now, we love you all, and will never forget the kindness and pride in which Melinda led her life on this earth. She is an example for all of us for sure. We wish that we could have been with you in person today, but weather, and flights would not allow it. It was so good to be able to be with you in spirit and to watch the livestreaming.
Brent, you, and all of your family are forever in our hearts, prayers, and we love you all so very much. May God be with you as you grieve but know that you are never alone. We are here with you always as is God. Never forget that.
With much love,
Steve and Linda DeMarce, and Family
Dear Melinda’s family. Our deepest sympathy to all of you. I knew her & her family from the Uehling days; being a classmate of her sister Bev. We then touched bases again when she was in Omaha. More recently on face book. I did get to visit with her at her Dad’s Memorial service. I loved the inspiring things she would put on face book. May God continue be with you all in the days ahead without this special angel among us here on earth; who has now gone to be that special angel in heaven watching over us. Life is changed but not taken away. God’s peace to each of you.
Love & prayers
Glenda Long(Hasebroock) & family
Dear Brent. I can imagine that this is one the most difficult times you will ever experience. Our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family dear Brother and friend.
I did not know Melinda except through Brent. He worked for one our customers and would often tell me how she was doing. It my hope that Brent will know that she is in a better place with her creator and will not miss her too much.
Melinda will always be remembered as such a kind and well accomplished person. She was always the first in line to offer help for those in need. She was a great friend and co-worker.
This world will miss her kindness.
Heaven is a better place with Melinda in it.
Sore with the angels , my friend!
You are well loved and your love and kindness will never be forgotten.
This news is heartbreaking. Melinda was such a lovely soul. Our deepest sympathy goes out to her husband Brent, her family and all who love her. May she be at peace in the arms of our Lord.
Our sincere condolences to Brent and family! Missy (Melinda) was a dear friend and colleague and will be missed. She was my mentor in BL choir and such a sweet person. Steve and I will truly miss her.
It is hard to believe that it was 20 years ago when Melinda came to us from the Seattle area.
She was a loyal and trusted partner and employee for all of those years. In her role as administrator worked with our most important fleet and commercial accounts. Melinda also was an expert in warranty administration and helped keep the rest of us on the “”straight and narrow”” with GM.
God didn’t bless me with very many people like Melinda!
It is no wonder the guys she worked with called her “”Mom””. It was a term of respect and endearment.
A true loss for all and way to early. One of the the nicest and kindest person that I have ever known and worked with. My prayers to the family.
To the family of Melinda Edwards. I had the privilege of meeting Melinda only a month ago through one of her church friends. I am very happy to have had the chance to talk with her however,
I wish I could have known her better because she was a very nice person. She is resting in peace now and this is what I wish for her family, peace.
Thoughts n prayers with you.. AL n LaRee
My thoughts and prayers go out to Melinda’s family. She was a high school classmate of mine. I too am from the Uehling area. Hugs to all of you.
Our prayers are with Melinda’ s family. We only recently became church family with her and Brett. They always made us feel welcome in our activities at BLC.
So many memories of you Melinda in Uehling elementary and playing band in High School. You are now in the most beautiful place ! I know your family and friends will miss you very much. I bet your playing that clarinet with the angels 👼
Blessings,
Kay Lewis
My prayers to Brent and her family 💜 Melinda was such a kind caring neighbor we always looked out for each other.. she will be missed ! Rest in peace you sweet Angel 😇
Prayers to the family
Brent and Family-
You are in our prayers each day. Melinda was such a blessing to so many at McCurley and all over our community. Our customers loved her so much and she formed a bond as very few are able with many of them. She most important was our Missy and she held us together for 20 years. We love her and miss her.
God bless you all!
Leslie and John Inman
Melinda never knew what she meant to many, many people including relatives and all Friends and most of all her faith and church friends. She was a very talented Lady and good at everything she done. Very caring to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed. She4 is the Angel that God sent down to have her join the many there including her Parents and Gran Parents. Rest in Peace dear Melinda. No more suffering. Mary Eastberg and Boys.
So sorry to hear about Melinda’s passing. Our thoughts & prayers to all the family. Our hearts reach out to all of you. She was one of the most loving & caring people I know. She will be so missed.
Aunt Melinda was a very special, kind, and caring woman. I will miss her deeply. My condo to the whole family.
I’m not even sure when I first met Melinda. It just feels like we’ve been good friends all of our lives, despite many years and miles between us. We went to Logan View HS together, and then both of us moved far from home. I was SO happy to reconnect on Facebook.
Now I can’t believe that I wasted so much time and didn’t talk to her every day. It always seemed like we had plenty of time. Much to my sorrow, that was not the case.
Melinda, you were one of the sweetest people I have ever known. I can’t wait to meet up with you in heaven again and REALLY catch up!
I grew up with Melinda in Uehling. We were in a class of 6 girls through elementary school. Sadly we lost touch but thanks to Facebook reconnected with each other and other Uehling friends and classmates. Thank goodness. This huts hard. One childhood memory keeps coming to mind. I lived behind her grandparents and they had a tire swing. We would push off that tree, fly back into it, and do that again and again giggling. Small town growing up with a friend is the best.
My heart goes out to her family that I know she lived only the way Melinda could- unconditionally. Rest pain free my friend. Until we meet in band practice again.
My sincerest sympathies to Melinda’s family. She loved her life and her faith was evident.
Guestbook for
Melinda Jane Edwards