Melissa J. Gilbertson, 61 of Sioux City, died Tuesday, July 15, 2014 in Sioux City.
Services will be held 11 am Monday, July 21, 2014 with Rev. Tom LoVan officiating at Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City, 4125 Orleans Avenue. Burial will be in Graceland Park Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to service time. Online condolences may be sent to www.wateburyfuneralserviceinc.com.

Melissa was born on June 14, 1953 in Madison, South Dakota, the daughter of Henry and June (Bursick) Gilbertson. She graduated in 1971 from East High School. Melissa was married to Robert Thompson, and they had two children, Jeffrey and Wendy. With her husband in the military, they lived in California, Hawaii, North Carolina, Minnesota and Louisiana. They later were divorced.

Melissa returned to Sioux City about 2000. She started the Silver Sneakers Water Aerobics classes at the Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA. She enjoyed working in her yard, playing golf, cribbage and Bunko with her friends. She participated with the area bowling leagues.

For the past few years, Melissa was a private home health care companion, helping with elderly care in the area. She was a member of the Morningside Lutheran Church.

Melissa is survived by her children, Jeffrey Thompson of Florida and Wendy Thompson of Florida, three grandchildren; her brother, Hank (Vesta) Gilbertson of Jefferson, South Dakota; her sister, Julie O’Connor of Sioux City; her step brothers and sisters, Eldean Gehrts of Whiting, Iowa, Tom Gehrts of Virginia, Nancy Mohr of Plattsmouth, Nebraska and Marsha Ratashak of Des Moines, Iowa; her favorite aunt, Norma Bursick of Sioux City; several cousins and their families; and her dogs Nicki and Gilbert, and Harry the cat.

She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.
Melissa a kind and loving person and will be truly missed by all those who were lucky enough to know her.