Melba C. Laetsch

December 6, 1913 - May 9, 2019

Melba C. Laetsch, age 105 of Tucson, AZ, died Thursday, May 09, 2019, at Thomas Gray House in Tucson, AZ. She was born on Saturday, December 06, 1913, in St. Louis, MO, the daughter of Theodore and Lydia (nee Straub) Bohlmann. On Saturday, January 14, 1939, she married Willis E. Laetsch at St. Louis, MO, who passed away on Saturday, November 23, 1996. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Tucson, AZ. Mrs. Laetsch was born in St. Louis, MO. She grew up in Maplewood, MO (A suburb of St. Louis). She graduated from Maplewood High School. Following high school, she graduated from Rubicam Business College in St. Louis. After her marriage, she traveled from community to community with her husband, Rev. Willis E. Laetsch as he followed his career in the Lutheran Ministry. They first lived in Natoma, KS, started a congregation in Chanute, KS and then pastored at Humboldt, KS. In 1956, they moved to Mascoutah, IL to serve a congregation. In 1960. Rev. Laetsch accepted a teaching position at Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska. Following his retirement in 1981, Rev. and Mrs. Laetsch moved to Arizona for their retirement. They have lived in Tucson ever since. Mrs. Laetsch enjoyed sewing and crafts of all types. She was active with the L.W.M.L. (Lutheran Women's Mission League) during much of her husband's professional life. Survivors include: Son - Dr. Theodore W. Laetsch PhD, Tucson, AZ Son - Rev. Leonard C. Laetsch, Tucson, AZ Daughter - Charleen K. Miller, Choctaw, OK Grandchild - Theodore W.(Mackenzie Frost, MD) Laetsch,Jr.MD Grandchild - Thomas A. Laetsch, PhD Grandchild - Michael J. (Victoria) Laetsch Grandchild - Adam J. Miller Grandchild - Daniel J. (Jenny) Miller, Doc. of Pharmacy Great Grandchild - Charlotte Laetsch Great Grandchild - Vivian Laetsch Great Grandchild - Elijah Laetsch Great Grandchild - Violet Laetsch Great Grandchild - Adam Miller Great Grandchild - Alyssa Miller Great Grandchild - Jacob Miller Great Grandchild - Lucas Miller She was preceded in death by: Father - Theodore H. E. Bohlmann - Died 7/18/71 Mother - Lydia Bohlmann, nee Straub - Died 3/20/29 Husband - Rev. Willis E. Laetsch - Died 11/23/1996 Brother - Theodore E. Bohlmann - Died 10/10/2004 Brother - Harold C. W. Bohlmann - Died 1986 Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Private Graveside Service will be at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at Saint Peter's Cemetery in St. Louis, MO, with Rev. Scott Busacker, Pastor, Hope Lutheran Church, Highland, IL, officiating. Interment will be at St. Peter's Cemetery in St. Louis, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethesda Lutheran Home-Watertown, WI.