Melisssa Garrett

Melissa Janell Garrett entered this world on Monday, June 2, 1980, in Ottawa, Kansas, a happy baby with the sweetest disposition, whether she was playing, laying down for a nap or waking up to brighten your day. She grew up in Lawrence and Ottawa, learning lessons that served her well, evolving into a wonderful woman with characteristics and qualities beyond her young years. In 1999, she moved to Richmond, Kansas, where she made her home, until her death Saturday, January 28, 2006, at the age of twenty-five years. Melissa attended Lawrence and Ottawa High Schools with the class of 1998, later earning her GED. She continued her education, proudly receiving her degree as a Mental Health Technician, graduating at the top of her class. She accepted a job at Osawatomie State Hospital, where she demonstrated calmness, proficiency and a unique ability to bond with the patients. Melissa was planning to take the next step in her nursing career by starting her nursing degree education this fall; we can only assume she would have been as successful at this goal as she had been at her others. She was a member of the Bible Baptist Church of Ottawa. Melissa was known for her many qualities, family, humor, listener, fondness for the outdoors, friends. She would rise to challenges to prove 'hey, I can do this'. She enjoyed working as a Mental Health Technician, doing what she did best, helping others. She also enjoyed collecting angels and displaying them, being a mother and wife, and nurturing her children. On November 19, 1999, Melissa was united in marriage with Jesse Garrett in Centropolis. He survives of their home. She is also survived by two sons, Zeke and Clayton, of the home; mother and stepfather, Janet and Jeff Clauser of Ottawa; father, Doug Weppler of Springfield, Missouri; brother, Zachary Jackson of Lawrence; sister, Kelsey Jean Jackson of Ottawa; grandfather, Bill Gremminger of Ottawa; grandmother, Ella Weppler of Arizona; and many uncles, aunts and cousins. Melissa is preceded in death by her grandmother, Nadine Gremminger, and grandfather, Eddie Pate. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 1, 2006. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Rev. Rick Randall IN STATE: Friends may pay their respects to Melissa at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 5 p.m. Monday to the service hour, where the family will meet with friends from 7 to 8 Tuesday evening. CEMETERY: Hope Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Garrett Children Education Fund, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.