Melba Irene Hameister

HAMEISTER Melba Irene Hameister, 96, of Rochester, passed away peacefully Friday, April 11, 2014 at Golden Living Center West. Melba was born October 16, 1917 in Mound, MN to Otto and Mary (Batdorf) Keckhafer.Melba was raised in West Central Minnesota and moved to Rochester at the age of 9 and has been a resident ever since. She attended Rochester High School and Rochester Junior College. On November 26, 1937, Melba married Rudi Hameister. She was an LPN at the former Rochester State Hospital and retired in 1982 after 27 years of nursing. Melba served as an officer for the Retired State Employees Organization. She was a member at the Senior Citizens Center and volunteered much of her time there at the center. Melba enjoyed playing cards, bingo and traveling. Above all, Melba loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and making memories with her entire family. Melba is survived by her children, Lucille Petersen of Sun City, AZ., Virginia Hameister of North Branch, MN., Donald (Pam) Hameister of Blooming Prairie, MN., Beverly (Roger) Miner of Brownsdale, MN., Judy Hameister of Rochester, MN., Raymond (Genie) Hameister of Rochester, MN; 19 grandchildren; 64 great-grandchildren; 3 great, great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Melba was preceded in death by her husband, Rudi; her parents; 5 sisters; 4 brothers, and son-in-law, Marty Petersen. A funeral service will be held 11:00AM Monday, April 14, 2014 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW., Rochester. Visitation will be held 2:00-5:00PM Sunday, April 13, 2014 and one hour prior to the service on Monday all at the funeral home. Pastor Rudi Hameister, Melba's grandson, will be officiating. Inurnment will be held at Oakwood Cemetery at a later date. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com