Brainerd Dispatch: News | Brainerd, Minnesota | Brainerd Lakes Area News on brainerddispatch.com

Home > NEWS >

Friday, October 9, 2009

E-mail

Forums

'She's one in a million'

Melissa Wooden remembered at service

By JENNIFER STOCKINGER

Staff Writer

LITTLE FALLS - She was called a beautiful person and everyone's best friend and it was said she touched the hearts of many.

Those were some of the kind words said about Melissa Wooden at her memorial service Thursday at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls. Wooden, a 30-year-old Little Falls resident, was tragically killed in a two-vehicle collision a week ago Friday at Highways 371 and Crow Wing County Road 48 in Baxter.

Melissa Wooden's American Sign Language I class from Brainerd High School signed "Hero" by Mariah Carey Thursday at the memorial service for Ms. Wooden (right photo) at Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls. Wooden was killed a week ago Friday in a two-vehicle collision at Highway 371 and Crow Wing County Road 48 in Baxter. Brainerd Dispatch/Jennifer Stockinger
» Purchase reprints of this photo.

Ms. Wooden's grieving family was supposed to be planning one of the biggest, happiest days of Melissa's life, a wedding - not a funeral. She had planned next June to marry the love of her life and her best friend, Jim Kleinschmidt. He held a single long-stemmed red rose during the funeral service.

It was said that Melissa couldn't wait to get married to be a loving wife and to have children.

Melissa Wooden was a deaf artist and an American Sign Language teacher at Brainerd High School. Her American Sign Language I class signed "Hero" by Mariah Carey at the service. Tabitha Olson, a BHS graduate, taught the class the sign language for the song this week as a tribute to Ms. Wooden.

"You Save Me," "Wind Beneath My Wings" and "Because You Love Me," were chosen by the family to be played and signed by a deaf interpreter.

At the memorial service, Ms. Wooden's love of butterflies and the color purple were noted. Many family members and friends, who filled the chapel pews and stood in the back, wore black and purple as well as a purple or lavender ribbon with a butterfly pinned to their shirts to signify Melissa's life. She loved butterflies because they're deaf, like she was.

A book called "Butterflies of the World" was placed at the podium. And many bright purplish flowers filled the front of the chapel and surrounded the casket.

The Rev. JoBeth Marshall of First United Church of Little Falls led the service and addressed the grief and anger loved ones may have felt about how God had taken a life so tragically at such a young age. Marshall talked about the seasons of life and that there is a time for everything.

Melissa Wooden

"A time for us to be born and a time for us to die," said Marshall. "There is a time for us to weep, a time for us to mourn, a time for us to be joyous and a time for peace.

"... God taught us so much beyond this life. Don't let your heart be troubled. Death will be no more. God is making all things new. Melissa has a new body and her spirit will stay with us."

Donna Hummel, one of Ms. Wooden's friends, signed that Melissa was a special person whom she loved. Central Lakes College American Sign Language instructor Tanya Hoting-Mrazek interpreted Hummel's words, as she did others.

"She's one in a million," Hummel signed. "We were such great friends. She was my rock, my soul. She was like a sister to me. My love for her will never die."

Bridget Coady, another friend, signed that the day Melissa died signified a big change in people's lives.

"She was such a joyful, giving person in our lives," signed Coady. "I understood her and she understood me. She didn't cook, but one of her favorite TV shows was 'Top Chef.' She always had to watch it. We played volleyball together. And she loved to dance. Her love was open and she was a beautiful person."

Jolie Olson, another friend, signed, "We shouldn't be mourning her, we should be celebrating her life. She gave so much to the community, to friends and family.

"She was stronger than she thought and very sensitive. She always had to tell us she was allergic to raspberries. I told her she was a drama queen, but I knew she had such a tender heart. She would always cry with you whether you broke your arm or a guy dumped you. She was always happiest when others around her were happy. ... The bond we had was not questionable, it was unconditional ... She was my family."

Following the funeral service, 16 white doves were to be released during the private burial in Darling Cemetery in Little Falls, according to a representative at Shelley Funeral Chapel.

JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.

Note: Comments are not edited and don't represent the views of The Brainerd Dispatch. Please read our posting rules in the terms of service policy. To report a post that may be inappropriate, click the triangle alert icon.