Melba Amsler

Melba Elizabeth (White) Amsler, 91, passed away peacefully in her home in the early morning of Tuesday, August 20, 2019. Melba was born in Ogden, Utah to Wallace and Mabel White. Melba lived all of her life in Evanston, Wyoming. She was a vivacious young lady some may remember as a bit of a “firecracker”.

In second grade, Melba met a boy named Fritz, but little did anyone know how significant that young friendship would later be... As a teenager, Melba worked at Ross Warner Drug Store, it was there where she learned that working hard was a way of life. She and her childhood sweetheart, Frank (Fritz) Amsler, married in April of 1947 and lived a life full of love and literal wedded bliss for 72 years. Melba could be ambitious and a little stubborn at times, but Fritz was the perfect mix of calm and gentle to create a love for which we should all strive. Together they had three children, Fran, Peggy, and Jim. Melba worked at JC Penney’s for many years and spent countless hours helping out at her sister’s store, Sather’s Jewelry.

Melba was a very active member of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church where she taught Catechism, she served on the Council of Catholic Women (CCW), the Parish Council, and could often be spotted near the front pew of daily and Sunday mass. She served as a Eucharistic Minister and took communion to the homebound for many years. Melba always greeted people, whether friend or stranger, with a hug and during her last few years, she was known by the children as the “Hugging Lady”.

One of her proudest moments came in 1992 when she was honored as the Evanston Volunteer of the Year recognizing over 35 years of service. Melba loved Evanston and its’ people and she loved to serve. Some of the places she volunteered were: Uinta County Museum Board; was appointed to the Evanston Housing Authority by Mayor Gene Martin; The Lord’s Storehouse (her beloved food pantry); the Centennial Wildflower Committee; the Senior Center where she taught aerobics and line dancing for many years; the Wyoming State Hospital and the Wyoming State Women’s Prison; the Railroad Days Committee where she coordinated the “Antique Fashion Show” supplying local models with many of her antique dress collection. She also served many years as a leader for the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and the local 4-H.

Melba had a passion for sewing. In the early years, she made all of the clothes for her girls. Later in life she started making quilts and loved to give them as gifts. Melba was an incredible cook; her specialty was Parker House Rolls. Anyone that knew Melba can attest to that gift. Melba loved to travel and see the sights, some of her favorite places to go were the family cabin in the Uinta Mountains and snowmobiling in Yellowstone. Her absolute favorite place to be was next to her beloved husband.

Melba was an incredible woman, devoted wife, loving mother, and grandma like no other; all of her grandchildren were certain that they were her favorite. She was fiercely loved and will be missed beyond words. She definitely was one of a kind.

She is survived by her loving husband Fritz, daughters Fran and Peggy, son Jim, grandchildren Rick (Holly), Kelly, Johna (Matt), Amanda, Bronson (Hatti) and 9 wonderful great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Arlene and Jannie. Melba was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Lavon, Dorothy, and Wallie, and her sons-in-law Dave and Jim.

Services for Melba will be on Friday, August 23rd, 2019 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church. There will be a viewing at 9:00 AM, a recitation of the Rosary at 10:00 AM, and the Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM. Interment will be directly following the mass at Evanston City Cemetery. All are welcome to come!

In lieu of flowers, Melba’s family requests donations to be made to The Lord’s Storehouse (Food Bank), P.O.Box 259, Evanston, Wyoming, 82930, to honor all of her years of service.