Melissa Ann Sierks, one of 6 children of John Claus and Dorothy Elizabeth (Shiveley) Sierks, was born May 6, 1971, in Auburn, Nebraska. She was baptized and confirmed in the Brownville Methodist Church. Melissa attended Locust Grove School through the 8th grade, graduated from Auburn High School, and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri.

Melissa used her degree in many businesses throughout her career, first with System and Services Technologies in St. Joseph, Missouri, a job which required she travel around the United States. She then worked for Flint Hills in Wichita, Kansas. Moving to Auburn, Melissa was employed with the Board of Public Works and then Leroy Able Elevators.

On April 2, 2016, Melissa married Russell Fisher at the Brownville Methodist Church. With this union she gladly took on the title of mother to two children, Hailey and Reid. The couple made their home in Clay Center, Nebraska.

Melissa then worked for car dealerships as controller, finance director, and office manager. For health reasons she retired from Tom Dinsdale CDJR in Hastings, and then worked as a grain accountant for CPI until cancer forced her retirement.

Melissa’s health problems began in January of 2022 with a surgery that exposed the cancer in her body. This led to more surgeries in 2023 and 2024 and other hospitalizations as she battled the cancer. Melissa was admitted to Mary Lanning healthcare in Hastings, Nebraska on January 14, 2025. She passed away there on Friday, January 17, 2025, at the too young age of 53 years, 8 months, and 11 days. Her parents John and Dorothy, sister- in-law Wanda Sierks, and mother-in-law Donna Fisher preceded her in death.

Melissa is mourned and remembered with love by her husband Russ of Clay Center; children Hailey Ann Fisher (Jeffoery Murray) of Johnson; Reid (Kenleigh) Fisher of Hartsell, AL; grandchildren Jaxson, Emersen, Madison Murray, Riggs Fisher; siblings Lonnie Sierks of Auburn; Myrna (Stan) Brooks of Rock Port, Michelle (Bill) Hawkins of Rock Port; David (Bonnie) Sierks of Lincoln; Chuck (Kayla) Sierks of Rock Port; 12 nieces and nephews; 14 great-nieces and -nephews; father-in-law Ronald Fisher of Johnson; sister-in-law Lori (Jeff) Colby of Johnson; other relatives and many friends.

A memorial service, officiated by Rev. Jackie Gfeller, was held Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn. Urn bearers were Waylon Ross, Josh Sierks, Joe Sierks, Jesse Sierks, Dustin Ross, and Trenton Young. Sherrie Cottrell, Deanna Gregg, Jeremiah Johnson, Cathy Smith, and Kristine Armstrong served as honorary bearers. Private family burial of ashes will be at Walnut Grove Cemetery at Brownville.

Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.