Obituary for Melanie Wankum
Melanie Kay Wankum, age 46, of Jefferson City, MO, passed away Saturday, October 22, 2022.
She was born on March 1, 1976 in Jefferson City, MO, the daughter of Otto John Wankum and Annette Marie (Touchette) Wallace. A lifelong resident of the Central Missouri area, Melanie attended Fatima High School and was currently earning her degree in Hospitality Management from Missouri State University.
Melanie worked for the Department of Economic Development, the Department of Revenue, Verizon, and Saffees. Her most loved position, however, was managing Theo’s Midtown in Jefferson City. At Theo’s, Melanie exercised her incredible people skills. She greeted customers with a friendly smile and was committed to the guests, even memorizing the orders of regulars and knew them by name.
She was a past president of the Westphalia Soccer Club, past secretary of the Fatima Athletic Booster Club and was currently attending Capital City Christian Church.
Melanie never knew a stranger. She was sweet and outgoing, forming relationships with many friends over the years. The quintessential “soccer mom”, she was a dedicated and present mother, always making time to be in the stands at games and events to cheer on not only her own children, but her niece and nephews as well. Melanie was a natural caregiver, she simply cared for people in the most genuine fashion and that set her apart. She enjoyed shopping and traveling with her family. They took trips to Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Mexico, South Dakota, Washington DC among others and she relished time spent exploring and adventuring with her loved ones. Melanie was proud of her family. Quick to show them off, she introduced them to anyone nearby when they came to visit at Theo’s. She filled the world with light. She departed this world having left behind a legacy steeped in giving of herself, selflessness, and above all, love.
Survivors include: children Justin Bax of Fulton, MO and Haylee Bax of Jefferson City, MO; her father, Otto Wankum of Meta, MO; her mother and stepfather, Annette and David Wallace of Osage Beach, MO; siblings, Tina Woehr (Husband, Gerald) of Wardsville, MO, and Adam Wankum of Wardsville, MO; niece, Taylor Woehr; nephews, Zach Woehr and Clayton Wankum; and her beloved dog, Maddie.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Leo “Pop” and Betsy Wieberg and Pierre and Joyce Touchette; and her great grandparents Lester and Vera Muskopf.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 28, 2022 at Freeman Mortuary.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October, 29, 2022 in the Freeman Chapel. Melanie will be laid to rest at St. Cecelia Cemetery in Meta, Mo.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Bax Children’s Educational Fund c/o Freeman Mortuary. Please make checks payable to the Bax Children's Educational Fund. Donations may be made at Freeman Mortuary or mailed to 915 Madison St., Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary.
She was born on March 1, 1976 in Jefferson City, MO, the daughter of Otto John Wankum and Annette Marie (Touchette) Wallace. A lifelong resident of the Central Missouri area, Melanie attended Fatima High School and was currently earning her degree in Hospitality Management from Missouri State University.
Melanie worked for the Department of Economic Development, the Department of Revenue, Verizon, and Saffees. Her most loved position, however, was managing Theo’s Midtown in Jefferson City. At Theo’s, Melanie exercised her incredible people skills. She greeted customers with a friendly smile and was committed to the guests, even memorizing the orders of regulars and knew them by name.
She was a past president of the Westphalia Soccer Club, past secretary of the Fatima Athletic Booster Club and was currently attending Capital City Christian Church.
Melanie never knew a stranger. She was sweet and outgoing, forming relationships with many friends over the years. The quintessential “soccer mom”, she was a dedicated and present mother, always making time to be in the stands at games and events to cheer on not only her own children, but her niece and nephews as well. Melanie was a natural caregiver, she simply cared for people in the most genuine fashion and that set her apart. She enjoyed shopping and traveling with her family. They took trips to Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Mexico, South Dakota, Washington DC among others and she relished time spent exploring and adventuring with her loved ones. Melanie was proud of her family. Quick to show them off, she introduced them to anyone nearby when they came to visit at Theo’s. She filled the world with light. She departed this world having left behind a legacy steeped in giving of herself, selflessness, and above all, love.
Survivors include: children Justin Bax of Fulton, MO and Haylee Bax of Jefferson City, MO; her father, Otto Wankum of Meta, MO; her mother and stepfather, Annette and David Wallace of Osage Beach, MO; siblings, Tina Woehr (Husband, Gerald) of Wardsville, MO, and Adam Wankum of Wardsville, MO; niece, Taylor Woehr; nephews, Zach Woehr and Clayton Wankum; and her beloved dog, Maddie.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Leo “Pop” and Betsy Wieberg and Pierre and Joyce Touchette; and her great grandparents Lester and Vera Muskopf.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 28, 2022 at Freeman Mortuary.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October, 29, 2022 in the Freeman Chapel. Melanie will be laid to rest at St. Cecelia Cemetery in Meta, Mo.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Bax Children’s Educational Fund c/o Freeman Mortuary. Please make checks payable to the Bax Children's Educational Fund. Donations may be made at Freeman Mortuary or mailed to 915 Madison St., Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary.