Melinda Kay Newkirk

Sibley, IA      Melinda Newkirk, age 66 of Sibley, IA died Friday, December 8, 2017 at Sibley Specialty Care.        Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, December 13th at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Sibley, IA, with Father Siby Punnoose as Celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Andrew’s Cemetery in Sibley. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the St. Andrew’s Church.        Melinda Kay Newkirk was born March 23, 1951 to Jesse Dale and Mercedes (Fettes) Newkirk. She was an adorable child with curly dark hair and big brown eyes. She spent her young life in Sibley, Iowa and attended all her school years there, graduating with the Sibley High School Class of 1969.        In 1970 Melinda began the first of several moves taking her to a variety of jobs such as ticket taker at county fair carnivals, a manufacturing line at a shoe factory and housekeeping at several different motels. Over time her health began to suffer and finding a job became more difficult. In 2002, she moved back from the Nashville area in Tennessee to Sibley to be closer to her family. For several years, she worked for Osceola Employment Services sometimes at Exopack, now Coveris, and sometimes at the OES site looming rugs which gave her a great sense of accomplishment. She had a wonderful representative, payee and friend, Karen Kasch, who helped her in many ways and provided tremendous support to her. Throughout her life, Melinda loved country music. One of her favorite groups was the Belamy Brothers. She always loved pets, too. Not able to have one of her own, she found many favorites while visiting with her sisters. At Mary Sue’s farm in Colorado, she helped with the goat chores but also loved to play with the babies. At Meredith’s house she and Meredith’s bichon, Cosie, quickly bonded. Her little girl, as she called her, was often found snoozing on Melinda’s lap.        In May 2017 Melinda became a resident at Sibley Specialty Care. Murphy, Margie’s king sized golden retriever usually came to visit whenever Margie did. Melinda would always hug him and call him her big boy. He seemed to love her as much as she loved him often laying his head in her lap. She had an amazing memory for dates and details about her family, her favorite musicians and television shows such as Walker, Texas Ranger. She also loved her stuffed animals and passing time with Find-A-Word books. The last few months Melinda began having more serious physical issues. She was still able to be up and around and came to the dining room for meals, but she was most often in a wheel chair. Some days her mood would be fine, other days a bit cantankerous especially when her tea wasn’t delivered when she decided it should be.        On December 6 Melinda took a complete turn for the worse, falling into a sleep from which she couldn’t be awoken. She passed peacefully from this life of natural causes on Friday, December 8, 2017 at the age of 66.        Preceding her in death were her parents Jesse Dale and Mercedes Newkirk and her sister, Mayreen Claire.        She is survived by her siblings: David (Lorraine) of Maple Lake, MN; her sisters, Mary Sue Leistico of Peyton, CO; Meredith (Bruce) Daggett of Mineral Point, WI; Monica (Marven) Stofferan of Ashton, IA; and Margie (George) Braaksma of Sibley, IA and many nieces and nephews.