Aileen Rose (Matter) Melis

Aileen Rose (Matter) Melis, 86, of Superior, died at home on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 surrounded by her family after a brief illness.

Aileen was one of seven children of Alfred and Ruth Matter of Detroit Lakes, Minn. She was born near Wanda, Minn. on Oct. 18, 1926 and moved to Callaway, Minn. when she was 4. She married John "Jack" Melis of Ironwood, Mich. on June 13, 1950. They raised six children.

Aileen was a member of Holy Assumption Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court 1190. She volunteered at the senior center at Holy Assumption and as an election judge for many years.

Aileen is preceded in death by her husband Jack of 51 years; her parents Alfred and Ruth Matter; her brothers Ralph and Linus Matter; her brother-in-law Leo Steffl; and her grandson Nathan Melis.

She is survived by her children, Gregory (Terese) Melis, Port Wing, Wis., Terry (Brent) Thomson, Red Wing, Minn., Gary (Pat) Melis, Appleton, Wis., Toni (Jim) Sarafin, Hingham, Wis., Betty Melis, Superior, Wis. and Rosemary Haaker, Burnsville, Minn.; former son-in-law, Kevin Haaker, Savage, Minn.; 18 grandchildren, Adam Melis, Rachel (Melis) Galler, Aram Melis, Bob Thomson, Katie (Thomson) Flottum, Laura (Thomson) Petersen, John Melis, Anne Melis, Becky (Melis) Fourness, Andrew Melis, Jen Sarafin, Jimmy Sarafin, Ruth Sarafin, Claire Sarafin, Jerry Pittman, Joe Haaker, Emily Haaker and Lucas Haaker; 5 great-grandchildren, Micah and Shayna Melis, Grayce Pittman and Ethan and Will Galler, with two more on the way; her brothers, Jerome and Jim Matter and sisters, LaVonne Jacobson and Cleo Steffl, and many nieces and nephews who also loved her dearly.

Aileen loved playing games, doing puzzles, reading, collecting bears and dolls, traveling, and browsing at thrift stores and garage sales. Her greatest pleasure was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, March 4 at Holy Assumption Catholic Church where a CDA rosary will be said at 10:30 a.m. The Mass of Christian burial will begin at 11 a.m. with Rev. Ronald Olson as celebrant.

Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Callaway, Minn.

Pallbearers for the service will be, Adam Melis, Jerry Pittman, Bob Thomson, John Melis, Ruth Sarafin and Joe Haaker. Honorary pallbearers will be Aram Melis, Andrew Melis, Jimmy Sarafin and Lucas Haaker.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Holy Assumption Parish or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, 1304 Hammond Avenue, Superior is assisting the family with arrangements.

Leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook at www.downs-lesage.com.

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