She was born on September 21,1956 in Bellville to parents Clarence and Delores Dittert. She was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church of Cat Spring. She grew up in a loving, close-knit family in Cat Spring, Texas. She was the oldest of five children: Melinda, Marilyn, Marsha, Malcolm and Myron. One of her favorite youth pastimes was singing in a band with her sisters growing up. Besides singing, she also enjoyed painting, gardening, playing cards, dominoes, baking, and spending time with family.

Melinda married Leonard Albert Brod on April 28, 1979 and together had three beautiful children: Jason, Jeramy, and Julie. Melinda and Leonard recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on April 28, 2024.

Melinda’s greatest accompl ishment was her family. She was a loving mother with a huge heart and always put her family first. As a mother, Melinda helped her children with school projects, FFA fundraisers, and raising livestock for the Austin County Fair. She attended every school function possible and was very involved in helping her children through grade school and college. Melinda was also an avid supporter and volunteer with the Cat Spring Agricultural Society to which her family has been members for several generations.

She is preceded in death by her father Clarence Alvin Dittert, grandparents Alvin and Goldie Dittert, and grandparents Edmund and Lodima Reibenstein.

She is survived by her mother Delores Dittert, loving husband Leonard Brod, son Jason Brod and daughter-in-law Debra, son Jeramy Brod and daughter-in-law Sarah with granddaughters Addy and Alana, daughter Julie Brod, sister Marilyn Nelson and brother-inlaw Travis, sister Marsha Tipp and brother-in-law Randall, brother Malcolm Dittert and his fiancé Mary O’Neil, brother Myron Dittert and girlfriend Ilse Shackman, her brother- in-law James Brod, and his wife Sharon, her sister- in-law Kay Powers and her husband Mickey, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus, Texas. A parish prayer service and rosary followed at 7:00 PM with Deacon Doug Tromblee officiating.

Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 2:00 PM at St. Roch Catholic Church in Mentz, Texas with Fr. James Dvorak officiating. Visitation at church was from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

The burial took place in St. Roch Catholic Cemetery in Mentz, Texas.

Pallbearers were Bradley Nelson, Brent Nelson, Milton Dittert, Mitch Dittert, Jacob Tipp and Cameron Dittert. Honorary pallbearers were Nancy Reichardt Hartmann, Irene Ondruch Sheffel, Donna Tomlinson Brandt, Patsy Strauss Anders, Ruth Vierek Brooks and the late JoAnn Andreas Nelson.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Father James Dvorak of St. Roch Catholic Church in Mentz, Texas, Memorial Herman hospital, Austin County EMS, Amedisys Hospice, and countless other individuals and volunteers who helped Melinda throughout her medical treatment. We are eternally grateful for the support you provided. Thank you!! In lieu of flowers the family asks for you to give blood to the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center or to make a monetary donation to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Sealy, 608 5th St., Sealy, TX 77474 or St. Roch’s Catholic Church in Mentz, 1600 Frelsburg Rd., Alleyton, TX 78935. Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome. com. Henneke Funeral Home Columbus, Texas