Obituaries : Melissa Ann Bartlett

Melissa Ann Bartlett, 51, of Belle Plaine, Iowa passed away February 28th, 2025, at the Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha surrounded by her family.

Melissa was born on May 3rd, 1973, in Cedar Rapids to Richard and Kathy (Shellenberger) Cornelis. She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1992. Melissa met John Bartlett, and they had a small, intimate wedding on July 24th, 1993. They were both from Belle Plaine and wanted to raise their family there, so they moved from Cedar Rapids with their two children to settle and build a beautiful life together.

Melissa loved spending time on the river. Her summers were filled with camping, kayaking, canoeing and fishing with family. She also was very creative and loved making things for family and friends. This love for crafts led to the start of her business Salt Creek Natural Creations where she made and sold candles. She was also an amazing cook and loved making a feast for holidays. She showed her love in many ways, but it came out in her delicious food.

Melissa was also very caring and wanted to give her community a place to remember loved ones, so she started the Memory Tree. The Memory Tree gave people a place to hang an ornament to honor a loved one who had passed. This meant so much to her and she was honored that so many people brought ornaments. If asked, she would also make ornaments to honor loved ones no longer here.

Melissa was beautiful inside and out. She had a heart of gold and words can't express how much she will be missed.

Melissa is survived by her father and mother Richard and Kathy Cornelis of Cedar Rapids, husband of 31 years John Bartlett of Belle Plaine, son Zack Bartlett of Belle Plaine, daughter Behre (Perry) Anderson of Keystone and her fur babies.

She is preceded in death by her sister-in-law Kathy Everett of Fairfax and Uncle Jack Eirp of Cedar Rapids.

Celebration of Life is 3-5 p.m. Thursday, March 6th, 2025, at Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service with burial to follow at International Cemetery in Luzerne, Iowa. Family lunch will be decided at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the family.