Melanie J. Reker

Melanie was born on July 17, 1962 to Earl and Joanne Schulze in Denver, Colorado. She spent her early years in Denver, before moving to Scottsbluff, Nebraska where she went to school and graduated from high school. She then attended Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff and transferred to the University of Wyoming where she earned a Bachelors of Arts in Journalism in 1987. . After graduation, she moved to Denver and married Glenn Reker in February of 1988. She worked temporary positions and gave birth to two daughters Karissa and Kassandra. She worked for SAIC for several years before resigning to going to work for EDP recruiting. She worked there for several year before leaving to spend time with the Karssia and Kassandra. She assisted in helping with school activities for the girls. She rejoined EDP in 2006, and continued to work there before being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in late June. She received chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant on November 4. In early January, she was readmitted to the hospital with complications from the transplant. She passed into the Lord's care on February 7.

She enjoyed counted-cross stitch, knitting, creative crafts and traveling. This included being part of several knitting circles including one associated with Peace with Christ Lutheran Church.

A memorial service will be conducted at Peace with Christ Lutheran Church, 3290 South Tower Road, Aurora, Colorado on February 12, at 2 p.m. Reception will follow the service at the church.

She is survived by her husband Glenn, daughters Karissa and Kassandra, mother Joanne Schulze, Grandfather Bernard Myers, sister Mary Neidhardt, brothers Michael Schulze and Mark Schulze.

Memorials in Melanie's name can be sent to Rocky Mountain Chapter of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), 5353 West Dartmouth Ave. Suite 400, Denver, Colorado, 80227.