Melanie Kolis

Sterling-Melanie G. Kolis, 97, died Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at CGH Medical Center in Sterling. Melanie was born June 17, 1916 in Germany, the daughter of Walter and Ida (Eisner) Schroeder. She married Bernhard Klingenberg. He preceded her in Death in 1942. She married Dr. Julius A Kolis in 1950. He preceded her in death in 1977. Melanie was a homemaker and lived in Germany for 36 years before immigrating to the United States in 1952. She moved to Sterling in 1957. Melanie loved to read, was an avid piano player, and enjoyed knitting, needle work, and tennis. Most of all, she loved to spend time with her family and friends. She was the matriarch of her family and a member of Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church. She is survived by her daughter, Ute (Roman) Lipp of Western Spring, IL; her son, Bernhard (Sue) Klingenberg of Sterling; her daughter, Annette (Alan) Mandel of St. Louis, MO; and her son Michael (Jeanne) Kolis, PhD. of Eau Claire, WI. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and two sisters in Germany, Anneliese Lederer and Margrit (Hans Georg) Tronnier along with two nieces and one nephew. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 AM, on Saturday, July 20, 2013 followed by the funeral at 11:15 AM at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1601 Ave. F, Sterling, IL, 61081, with Reverend Patrick Pinion officiating. Cremation rites have been accorded with interment at Oak Knoll Memorial Park, Sterling, at a later date. A memorial has been established to Christ Lutheran School, Sterling, IL. Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com