Mary Catherine (Driessen) Melinski

Mary C. Melinski, nee Driessen, age 87, was called to eternal rest on November 2, 2024 after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s.  Mary was born on May 12th, 1937, daughter of Clarence and Marie (Van Der Burgt) Driessen.  She grew up in Little Chute and attended St. John Grade and High School.  After graduating she enrolled in Dominican College of Racine and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in elementary teaching.  Mary then began teaching, primarily first grade for the next 35 years in Greendale, Wisconsin.  After a few years of teaching she attended Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee, on weekends and during summers and graduated with a Masters Degree in Education.  In 1973 Mary met the love of her life, Dennis Melinski and they married the following year.  They enjoyed their married life together for several years when they learned they could adopt two young girls, Christina and Jennifer.  They then enjoyed their family life together, the girls’ many activities and accomplishments and their many trips to Florida.  But all this ended too soon as Dennis unexpectedly passed away a few years later.  Mary then spent her interest in getting to know better her eight grandchildren and her two great grandchildren watching them grow up and forming their own personalities.  After awhile Mary decided to sell her home and move back to the Fox Valley to be with family again.  It is then that she experienced the wonderful feeling of what being close to your sister really meant.  Mary enjoyed teaching, reading, singing in choir groups, the Packers, Brewers and her many winters in Naples, Florida.

Mary is survived by her two daughters: Christina Malecki and Jennifer Schultz (friend Bryan Lorge).  She is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Cayla (friend Daniel Guss); Tiffany, Amber, and Elayna Malecki; Aaron Melinski, Shawn Schultz; Brianna and Bailey Behrensprung; Lennox Lorge.  Also two great granddaughters, Kara Guss and Evelyn Behrensprung;.  Mary is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law: Kate and Tom “Tuck” Weyenberg, and many nieces and nephews, especially Timm and Barb Weyenberg.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Melinski; her parents Clarence and Marie Driessen; a sister and brother-in-law Richard and Aggie Heiting; brothers and sisters-in-law: Thomas and Joanna Driessen, Dennis and Patricia Driessen.

Funeral Mass for Mary will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church (411 Vandenbroek St., Little Chute) with Father Ron Belitz officiating.  Friends family will gather at the church on Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. until the time of Mass.  She will be laid to rest in the parish cemetery.

A special thank you to the staff at Country Villa of Little Chute for their wonderful compassion and special care.  Also – Moments Hospice, especially Melissa and Ellen.