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BORN
1934
DIED
2025
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Barbara Melby Obituary
March 13, 1934 - July 31, 2025
CHIPPEWA FALLS - Barbara J. Melby, 91, of Chippewa Falls, passed away Thursday, July 31, 2025, at her residence surrounded by her loving family under the care of St. Croix Hospice.
Barbara was born March 13, 1934, in Mondovi, the daughter of C. Rex and Meredith (Ward) Amundson.
Barbara married Lester Asmussen, Jr. Together they had three children, Vickie, Michael and Cheryl. In 1962, Barbara married Robert C. Melby and they had three children, Dawn, Diane and Gayle. Bob passed away on July 7, 1996.
Barbara was a life member of the VFW and American Legion, Auxiliary 829 Letter Carriers.
Barbara held 15 different jobs during her lifetime and enjoyed traveling to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico and she took many cruises and motorhome to all fifty states.
Barbara is survived by one son, Michael (Kathy) Asmussen of Eau Claire; and daughters, Diane Ziebell of Eau Claire, Cheryl (George) Brock of Chippewa Falls, and Gayle (Mitch) Clark of Alda, Neb.; 8 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Jo Rathke of Eau Claire and Sharon (Jerry) Rathke of Minong and Janice (Gary) Gullikson of Machesney Park, Ill.
Barbara was preceded in death by three daughters, Vickie Ellis, Dawn Melby and Donna (Ronald) Ganong; her two husbands; her parents; one brother, Don (Mary Jo) Amundson; one daughter; two sons-in-law, Charles Ellis and Lloyd Ziebell; brother-in-law, Steve Rathke; grandson, Jeffrey Ellis; nephews, Christopher and Greg Ganong, Troy Gullikson, Todd Amundson; and great-niece, Christina Ziska.
A Memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 12, at Faith Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls. Inurnment will be in Rest Haven Cemetery in Eau Claire, town of Washington, at a later date.
Visitation will be held at 11:30 a.m. until the time of services at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 12, at Faith Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls.
Horan Funeral Home in Chippewa Falls is in charge of arrangements.
Family and friends may express condolences online at www.horanfuneralhome.com.
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Horan Funeral Home and Cremation Services - Chippewa Falls420 Bay Street, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
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