Genievie “Jenny” Anita Melott was born Sept. 2, 1936, at home in Coffee Creek, Montana, to Arnold and Alice (Nemec) Ecker and passed away May 29, 2022, at the age of 85.
Jenny attended school in Coffee Creek and graduated from Denton High School with the Class of 1953. She then went on to attend Montana State University in Missoula, Montana.
On June 26, 1954, Jenny was united in marriage to John “Jerry” W. Melott, and to this union, three children were born, June, Jay, and Jack. After their marriage, the couple farmed and ranched in the Denton/Everson community.
Jenny had a vehicle accident in 1964 at the age of 28 and suffered a broken neck, leaving her a quadriplegic. In 1969, the couple moved to Pueblo, Colorado, where Jerry purchased a livestock sale barn. In 1977, they made the move to North Platte, where he worked at Coors Distributing Company. On Nov. 9, 2014, Jenny had emergency spinal surgery in Lincoln, then moved to Ridgewood Care Center in Seward.
She was a former member of Rebekah Lodge in Coffee Creek and Eastern Star in Denton, Montana. She was a former member of the Shrine Auxiliary in North Platte, North Platte Community Playhouse Guild, where she served as treasurer for 31 years. She was a former member of the Mayor’s Committee for the Handicapped in North Platte, North Platte Humane Society, American Legion Auxiliary and Mill Isle Boat Club. Jenny enjoyed playing bridge. She was a member of Seward United Methodist Church and P.E.O. Chapter CC.
Jenny was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Melott in 2001; son, Jack in 2019; her parents, Arnold and Alice Ecker; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Vern and Gladys Melott.
Survivors cherishing her memory include her children and their spouses, June (Ron) Stewart, Dallas, Texas, and their children, Ryan (Kyleigh) Stewart and Kyle (Megan) Stewart, son, Jay (Jane) Melott, Woodbridge, Virginia, and their children, Megan (Josh) Moss, Emily Swain and Josh (Sonja) Barber; daughter-in-law, Danette Melott, Kansas City, Missouri, and her children, Austin (Megan) Melott and Parker (April) Melott; great-grandchildren, Aubrey and Logan Melott, Emma and Caleb Swain, Brandon (Valli) and Brayson Barber and Maci and Mason Moss; brother, Odell, and wife, Roxie Ecker; four nieces, Mary Alice, Beth, Susan, Debby and families and a host of friends.
A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at Seward United Methodist Church with a graveside service and inurnment at 10 a.m. Monday, June 20, at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Seward United Methodist Church or Ridgewood Rehab and Care Center. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.zabkafuneralhome.com.
