Constance Melz

Constance “Connie” Sue Melz, age 79, of Lakota, died on Friday, March 11, 2022 at the Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Buffalo Center. Interment will be at Stevens Cemetery. The memorial service will be live streamed on Oakcrest Funeral Services Facebook page.

Connie, the daughter of George “Joe” and Ruth (Fisher) Heitland, was born on July 7, 1942 in Buffalo Center. She grew up in Buffalo Center and graduated from Buffalo Center High School in 1960. After high school, she went to Kansas City, KS to become a stewardess, and later moved to Minneapolis, MN where she worked for several years. She then returned home, where she met and married Harlan Melz.

On February 23, 1963, she was united in marriage to Harlan. Together they made their home in Lakota and raised three boys. Connie helped Harlan on the farm, worked as a nurse's aide in the Buffalo Center Hospital, and was a lifeguard. Once her children were older, she went back to school to become a nurse. She worked at the Heritage Center Nursing Home in Bancroft until she retired.

Connie loved spending time with her family and going to her grandchildren’s activities. She enjoyed quilting, reading, shopping, and playing the piano. She was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Minnesota Twins, and Minnesota Vikings.

She is survived by her husband, Harlan of Lakota; three sons, Randy (Jill) Melz of Buffalo Center, Brandon (Wendy) Melz of Excelsior, MN, and Carey (Colleen) Melz of Lakeville, MN; grandchildren, Noah and Kendall Melz, Bailey, Jordan, Kylie and Regan Melz, and Connor, Carter, and Caitlyn Melz; siblings, Janell (Ivan) Heidecker, Diane (Bill) Mountain, Terry Heitland, and Patricia Dontje; sisters-in-law, Adelia Heitland and Opal Melz; and many nieces and nephews.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Dennis and Greg Heitland; nephew, Troy Heidecker; brother-in-law, Arno Melz; and sister-in-law, Gilda (Chuck) Steinfeld.

Oakcrest Funeral Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com