MINNEOLA - Lou Melgren, would like you know that her work here is done. She received a call- the sort you can’t refuse - for a promotion from which she will not be returning. It comes with a bonus, a reunion with Carl, Kristi, family, and friends she has not seen in a long time. Her new calling takes her to a wonderful place where she will be singing praise and worshiping her Savior.

Louise [Loechner] Melgren was born at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital in Newton, KS on February 15, 1930 to Gottlieb Loechner and Lina Hubman Loechner. She died July 8, 2026.

At a very early age Lou’s family moved to Pritchett, CO where they lived and she attended school. In 1944 the family moved to Loveland, CO. She graduated from Loveland High School in 1948. After her hospital experience as a critically ill patient during her high-school years she decided to become a registered nurse.

Lou originally enrolled in nurses training in Newton, KS but her oldest sister, Anne, encouraged her to reconsider Dodge City for her training. She entered St. Anthony School of Nursing there, graduating in 1951. After graduation she worked for a short time in a private clinic and then for about a year at National Jewish Hospital in Denver. Lou returned to Kansas to marry Carl James Melgren of Bloom, KS on August 16, 1953.

Lou was on duty the very first night shift when the new Minneola District Hospital opened in 1956 and continued to work there part-time as a nurse until she retired in 1995. She was also active in the Bloom and Minneola United Methodist Churches.

Carl preceded Lou to heaven in 1996 as well as her parents and her beloved sisters Helen and Anne, and her daughter, Kristi. Mourning her passing are her children, Marci [Tim] Walter, Eric [Denise] Melgren, her son-in-law Mark Freeman, five wonderful grandchildren and their spouses, David [Leidy] Melgren, Susan Melgren [Nick Peterson], Matthew [Sandy] Walter, Peter [Frani] Melgren, and Abby [Aaron] Currence, and 9 great-grandchildren, as well as many relatives and friends.

Lou is also survived by three sisters, Ellie Williams, Ruth Hamm, and Frieda Probasco.

Lou taught her children many timeless values, including the importance of friendship, selfless community service, and generous hospitality. She loved her friends and family with open hands.

Her service will be held at the Minneola Church, 231 South Main, on August 8th at 11AM. She will be buried next to her husband in the Appleton Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 to 5:30PM on Friday, August 7th, at Minnis Mortuary in Minneola.

Please direct memorial gifts to Minneola District Hospital, Minneola Nursing Home, or The Hometown Market in Minneola, in care of Minnis Mortuary, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801. Condolences may be sent to www.minnismoruary.net