BARBARA MELKA

Barbara Ann Kamholz Melka, age 90, of Elburn, passed away quietly into the arms of her savior, Monday evening, September 13, 2021, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family. She was born June 8, 1931, in Chicago, IL, to proud and loving parents, Earnie and Anna (Winkleman) Kamholz. Barb grew up in Chicago and attended Nazareth Lutheran School. She graduated from Lindbloom High School with the class of 1949. Barb worked as a checker at various A&P’s in Chicago, where she met her soon to be husband George. After a four-month whirlwind courtship, they were united in marriage on April 22, 1950. They began their new life in Berwyn and Cicero, before moving to Westchester, IL. In 1965, they moved to Glen Ellyn but moved once more to a home that George built in Elburn in 1972. The were able to celebrate 50 years of wedded bliss in 2000 at Port Edward in Algonquin, IL. Barb was baptized, confirmed and married at the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Chicago, was a former faithful and active member at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hillside, IL from the 1950’s to the 1970’s, and found her current home church in St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, St. Charles, IL. She loved being a homemaker and especially a gardener. She really loved iris and peonies from her grandmother’s and mother’s gardens. Barb was very fond of her times in Tomahawk, WI on Lake Nokomis where the family had started out as a modest shack, but later bloomed into a cabin that the whole family could enjoy for generations. She is survived by her daughter Carolyn Melka; one brother Robert (Michele) Kamholz, several nieces, nephews and a family of friends. She was preceded in death by her husband George Melka; her brothers Ernie Kamholz, and Walter Kamholz; her parents Earnie and Anna (Winkleman) Kamholz.

Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m., with a funeral service to follow at 11 a.m., at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 101 S 6th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174. Interment will follow at Blackberry Township Cemetery, Elburn, IL. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 101 S 6th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174. Tributes and memories may be left on the Conley Funeral