Melsom M. Molzow's Obituary
Melsom (Mel) Molzow died Monday, January 24th in Fort Myers, Florida. Born in Aniwa, Wisconsin on May 8, 1917, Mel grew up in Birnamwood, WI where she graduated high school as her class valedictorian.?á She moved to Neenah, WI in 1940 where she met, fell in love with and married R.D. (Pat) Molzow, a local attorney.?á Mel lived in Neenah for 54 years when she moved to Florida to be with her daughter.?á Mel was actively involved in her community, helping to organize numerous charitable and community services such as the annual Christmas Giving program.?á As a Red Cross volunteer she helped establish the local blood bank.?á Through her activities with Kings Daughters and Sons, she was instrumental in establishing two group homes ?Çô one for teenage girls and one for teenage boys.?á United Way, Visiting Nurses Association, Girl Scouts, St Paul?ÇÖs Lutheran Church Sunday school, Theda Clark Regional Medical Center adult and youth volunteer programs all benefited from her involvement.?á In addition to these activities she worked tirelessly for the Republican Party and candidates. Mel?ÇÖs fifteen minutes of fame came in 1954 when her photo was in LIFE magazine along with an article about how she sunbathed in Wisconsin winters by enclosing the sides of an upper deck and covering large boards with aluminum foil which could be adjusted to reflect the sun onto a cot laid along side it.?á That deck was a popular place where the neighborhood high school girls came to get tans before the prom! When Mel needed to relax and recharge she turned to her flower garden where she could be found digging happily in the dirt planting and transplanting, trimming and pruning. It was in her garden that she communed both with nature and with God. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia (Tricia) Molzow, Cape Coral, FL; her son, Thomas D. Molzow and his wife, Gilda, Dataw Island, SC; one grandson Jeffrey T. Molzow and his wife, Sarah and two great grandsons, Reid P. Molzow and Thomas P. Molzow, Lubbock TX; and two sisters, Elaine Miller, NY and Orma Harbeck, Green Bay, WI; and Mary McGillicuddy, Cape Coral, FL who has been like a daughter. ?á She is predeceased by her husband and two sisters, Verona Sassman and Betty Jane Herman. A loving wife and mother, loyal friend and caring neighbor her light will continue to shine through those lives she has touched.?á The family is grateful to Dr Doug Henricks and his staff for helping her remain independent for as long as possible, ?áto Calusa Harbour for the loving care she received from the staff in Assisted Living and to Hope Hospice for the gentle, compassionate comfort care which eased her final days.?á A memorial service is planned for Saturday, February 12, 2011 at the Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.?á The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 am.?á The service is scheduled to begin at noon.
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