Cover photo for Melanie (Schmalenberg) Wilson's Obituary
Melanie (Schmalenberg) Wilson Profile Photo
1971 Melanie 2022

Melanie (Schmalenberg) Wilson

September 13, 1971 — December 31, 2022

Grand Rapids, formerly of Winona

Melanie Dawn (Schmalenberg) Wilson was born majestic on September 13,1971 in Brainerd, MN to Joan Schmalenerg. At age 51 on the last day of the year December 31, 2022 in Duluth, MN, Melanie flew away and she will forever be missed by those she left behind.

Mel, as she was best known by her loved ones, started life, as her mom recalls, singing, drawing, and loving on her first dog Buschka.  She was disarming and embracing. Her wings spread wide over so many people. She had an eye for the travel weary, the furry friends, the creative types, the outliers, the sweet spirits, and the disenfranchised. Mel had this incredible gift at seeing the essential worth in those she encountered and, if you were lucky, she made you hers.

She was a prolific artist, a singer, a novelist, a dancer, and a lover.  She made art of everything. Mel had a steel trap of a mind. She was a purveyor of curious facts and stories and if you had stories to share she’d gladly sit and trade. The dance was strong with this one. When a song came on the speaker that she loved, her voice would raise and her hips would swish and frisk, beckoning you to join in. 

Mel had a lot of life experiences; some of them sour, some of them sweet. The sweetest of those were her babies. The pride in her eyes when she talked about her children poured out in pools of infinite love. 

Mel’s calling was to work with folks walking through life with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She worked with people throughout Minnesota to help them feel uplifted, loved, whole, and seen in their moment to moment; day to day. 

Mel remains in the hearts of her Daughters Iris and Jasmine, Hazel and Mathilda; Sons Austin and Emmet; Step children Aaron, Emily, Andrew, Dylan and Evan; Brothers Jasin and Brian; Sisters Andrea, Jada, Serena, and Fawna; Mother Joan Pate; Grandmother Margaret; many aunties, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews; and many many dear friends who are part of her family. 

She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Donald "Don" Schmalenberg; her uncle Daniel “Danny” Schmalenberg.

A Memorial Service for Melanie will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at the Hoff Celebration of Life Center, 3480 Service Drive, Goodview, MN. Visitation will follow the service until 8:00pm on Saturday. Karaoke and a meal will be a part of the visitation. Hoff Celebration of Life Center - Goodview, is assisting the family. www.hofffuneral.com.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Memorial Service

Saturday, January 7, 2023

2:00 - 2:30 pm (Central time)

Hoff Celebration of Life Center - Goodview

3480 Service Dr, Winona, MN 55987

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Visitation

Saturday, January 7, 2023

2:30 - 8:00 pm (Central time)

Hoff Celebration of Life Center - Goodview

3480 Service Dr, Winona, MN 55987

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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