I miss her.......from Amanda Schwarz

Hi My name is Amanda Schwarz, I was a very very close friend to Melanie Gilkes and I spoke at her funeral. Melanie,You truely were an angel,sent from God in Heaven above.Your shocking death just broke the hearts of everyone that you loved,When I found out that you had died, I thought that they were wrong,You were so alive, and then -just like that you were gone.A flame blown out in seconds,confirming our worst fears,a light that shines no more on earth,for which we shed many tears.But still you are my Beacon,and I need you right now,you hear all the prayers I say, because they are answered somehow.I wish that you could be here, But in a way you are,your symbol of a rose goes everywhere with me,so I know you can't be far.It still is quite a shock to me,that you had to die,but no one will forget you,I love you and Good-bye. Love, Amanda Schwarz

Benefit October 21st 1-6 PM

There will be a benefit for Melanie and Logan Gilkes on October 21st from 1-6 PM at the Sparta American Legion. As you know from this website, Logan, 13 months, was in the car at the time of the accident. Today, Logan continues to struggle for life in Gunderson Lutheran hospital. He is paralyzed and will need care 24 hours a day for the rest of his life. He is unable to breathe on his own. The medical bills are beginning to pile up, and the final expenses for Melanie are just really hard on the family.

There will be music, prizes and more at the benefit. Any assistance you can give the family would be greatly appreciated. You can still donate to the memorial fund at State Bank Financial at any time. Please attend to help a family in great need of assistance.

We look forward to seeing you there.

A Sister's Love is Forever

I didn't think that it would be as hard as it is is for me to post to a blog. I have a million great things to say about Melanie and tons of memories but I don't know where to start. It is very hard for me to realize that my baby sister is gone and even harder to think about what I am going to do now without her.Melanie was the person that I turned to when I was down. I knew that no matter what the situation that I could always turn to Melanie for advice or just a shoulder to cry on. she was the sunshine for me. With her beautiful smile that never turned to a frown and outlook on life in general. As days go by I can't believe the little things that I took advantage of when having her here with us.I remember her clapping!!!!!!!!! Do ANY of you remember her LOUD clapping? As kids we would make her clap just so we could hae a laugh! I remember when she had Jacob and whole drive for me from Green Bay to Sparta I kept calling and telling Melanie that she HAD to hold it til I got there.....and she did!!! (not on purpose, it just worked out that way and we always talked and laughed about that. She held that baby til I got there). :-)I will never forget Melanie's wedding anniversary because she got married on my 21st birthday. Every year she was the first one to call me to wish me a hapy birthday and I wold wish her happy anniversary. My birthday is now coming soon and I won't be able to hear her happy voice on the morning of my birthday. If only I would have known last year that I wouldn't hear those words from her again....Melanie was always so pure at heart and in life in general. She was the most sensitive person that I have and will ever know. We could all learn a lot from her sencerity. I could go on and on and on about Melanie because I don't remember anything bad about her at all.....even if I try, I can't remember her doing one bad thing in her life. I think even if she tried she couldn't (wouldn't) do it!I know that although I feel that no one could miss Melanie as much as I do, I know that there are many of you that do. As Melanie would always say, "you just hae to keep your head up".Posted by webmaster on behalf of Renee, Melanie's sister.

Memorial Fund

Melanie Gilkes Memorial Fund

The family of Melanie Gilkes is faced with many unexpected final expenses, as well as medical bills for their 13 month old son who was also in the auto accident. As friends and family all know, Melanie is no longer with us, but her son is still fighting for his life and every day is a struggle for him.

If you would like to assist the family with expenses for her son's medical care or Melanie's final expenses please send donations to:

Melanie Gilkes Memorial Fund

C/O State Bank Financial

203 W. Wisconsin Street

Sparta, WI 54656

You can also stop by any State Bank Financial Branch in the Sparta, LaCrosse, WI area and donate to the fund.

Any assistance you can give the family will be greatly appreciated.

Memories from Tonya Gomez

I received this email from Tonya Gomez about Melanie today:

Hi my name is Tonya Gomez i have known Melanie all my life pretty much. I have a few storys for you to post on the page if u feel like u would like, First off i looked everywhere for a poem that reminded me of her even tryed to write one but i couldnt make one beautiful enough to compare to her. Then when i was at her visitation a quote came to mind when i seen her. I know it isnt in the right context since me and her are friends not lovers but i thought it reminded me of her see what u can do with it.

Give me my Romeo; and, when he shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun."

For storys about melanie most of mine are just silly and im not sure she would want them shared but i do remember how in love she was with Andy she talked about him all the time and i remember when she found out she was pregnant with little Jacob she was so excited he had a name and she was a great mother even before he came.
I do remember one time being at our friend Jenny's house who lived near her father and i had just had my oldest daughter Isis she was about a month old and melanie had come over to see the new baby she sat there and held her and was all so amazed by her chunkie cheeks and was loving every second of a new baby. I remember looking up at her and i do still to this day remember seeing her hold and give my daughter kisses on the forhead. She will forever be missed. You can share anything im saying here but please remember to include that i love her. Thanks Tonya