A Life’s Journey

Melba Louise Schulenburg entered eternal rest at 7:58 p.m. on Friday, June 14, 2013 at I.U. Health Tipton Hospital. She was born July 11, 1919 in Dearborn County, Indiana to Martin and Hulda (Ewell) Kuhlman. Melba was welcomed into the family of God through Holy Baptism on July 13, 1919 and confirmed her baptismal vows through the rite of confirmation on April 9, 1933. Melba was married on June 15, 1941 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Farmer’s Retreat, Indiana to Walter Schulenburg who preceded her in death. This union of sixty-seven years was blessed with four children.

Melba was a loving, patient, and supportive wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who served the Lord faithfully with her time, treasures, and talents. She was renowned for her wonderful cooking, beautiful sewing, and her gift to make people feel welcome in her home. She retired in 1987 after thirty years as cafeteria manager at Jefferson Elementary School in Tipton. She was a faithful member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, Tipton where she served in various capacities in the Altar Guild, Ladies Aid Society, and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. Melba also raised her voice in praise to the Lord in the church choir.

Serving as a 4-H leader for many years and being a member of the Helping Hands Home Demonstration Club, Melba was able to share with and teach others about her culinary and needlecraft skills.

She is survived by one son and his wife, Elroy and Nancy Schulenburg, Indianapolis, three daughters and their husbands, Karen and Mike Nelson, Burket, Indiana, Linda and Paul Pritchett, Lizton, Indiana, Craig and Ina Guenin, Monroeville, Indiana; ten grandchildren, and sixteen great-grandchildren. Melba’s sisters Alvera Hockemeyer of Monroeville, Indiana and Viola Dresselhaus of Friendship, Indiana and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends also mourn her passing. Melba was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, three brothers Harold, Edgar, and Norman and 2 sisters, Pauline Linkmeyer and Irma Kuhlman.

Melba's funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19 at the Emanuel Lutheran Church, 1385 S. Main Street, Tipton, with Revs. Robb Roloff and Kurt Gremal presiding. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Tipton. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Young-Nichols Funeral Home and from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Hour Ministries, Emanuel Lutheran Church, or Concordia Theological Seminary through the funeral home or the church.

Confirmation verse: One thing is needful. Mary has chosen that good part which will not be taken away from her. Luke 10:42