Melody Lou Amundsen, 83, of DeKalb, passed peacefully Friday, Aug. 30, 2013, at home.

Born Aug. 8, 1930, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, she was the daughter of Troy and Beda (Smith) Holt. On Sept. 11, 1948, she married the love of her life, Richard W. Amundsen in Sycamore. Richard preceded her in death her Sept. 14, 2012.

Melody attended business school in Chicago and was employed by Northern Illinois University for 20 years in the Student Employment Office as the manager. She also worked at Sycamore High School in 1947. She was a very faithful and active member of Salem Lutheran Church for 50 years and gave many years of service to the Glory of God. She was a very active member of the Lady Elks, served as a Brownie Leader when the girls were young, was a PTA officer and involved herself in all the girls activities.

After retirement, she and Richard moved to Branson, Mo., where she continued to give of herself, being active and giving tours of the Branson area. She would give advice to tourists about the riverboat trips and the various shows that Branson had to offer. Melody stayed as active as she could and she was treasurer of their homeowner's association.

She and Richard loved to dance and were a part of a country western dance tour. Melody was a beautiful lady who entertained people with her sense of humor. Her positive attitude and good nature were an inspiration to anyone who knew her. She was a happy person who was always smiling. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by two daughters, Terry (Dennis) Benson, of Sycamore; and Chris (Jeffrey) Makosh, of DeKalb; five grandsons, Brad (Julie) Benson, Richard and Andrew Benson, Jason (Michelle) Schlieben, and Young Makosh; five great-grandchildren, Nolan, Leah, and Nora Benson; Parker and Mia Schlieben. She is also survived by two sisters, Delight (Gordon) Carlson of Jacksboro, Tenn. and Katherine (Peter) "Bud" Wells of Branson West, Mo. She will also be missed by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Richard, and her youngest daughter, Delight Lee Amundsen.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 5 in Salem Lutheran Church, Sycamore, with the Rev. Robert Kinnear officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Sycamore. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4 at the Olson Funeral and Cremation Services, Quiram Sycamore Chapel.

The family would like especially to thank her kind caregiver, Lisa Shockey and DeKalb County Hospice for their loving care.

Memorials in Melody's name may be made to Salem Lutheran Church or DeKalb County Hospice. To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.olsonfh.com. Arrangements by Olson Funeral and Cremation Services, Ltd. Quiram Sycamore Chapel.


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