Loma Mellem, 79, of Soldiers Grove passed away on Thursday, July 26, 2012 at her home.

She was born on September 9, 1932 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Ovid and Thelma (McQueen) Tunks. She married Kermit Mellem on August 1, 1949. They lived in this area until they moved first to Cedar Rapids and later to Milwaukee. They retired to this area in 1976. In Milwaukee she ran a Dairy Queen for three years. After returning to this area she worked at Handy Pantry in Readstown and Turks IGA and the Old Oak Inn in Soldiers Grove. For about ten years she was a cook at North Crawford Schools. Her hobbies included quilting, sewing and baking. She made a quilt for four of her grandchildren.

Loma is survived by five daughters: Patricia Adler, Florida, Lois Jean (Bob) Protsman, Adams, Peggy (Conrad) Anderson, Viroqua, Jayne (Luther) Swiggum, Boscobel and Judith Deters of Mineral Point; ten grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and one sister, Arlene Boardman of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Loma was preceded in death by her husband, Kermit in 2007, her daughter, Christine Mellem, her parents, her granddaughter, Jenny Sellers and her brother, Lyle Tunks.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 30, 2012 at 12:30 p.m. at Kickapoo United Lutheran Church at Folsom, rural Soldiers Grove. Pastor Curt Matz officiated and burial was in the Walnut Mound Cemetery at Retreat. Friends called from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church.

The family was assisted by the Sime Funeral Home in Readstown.

Online condolences may be sent to simefuneralforum.com