Melissa was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1980, in Lacrosse, WI. She grew up in Prairie du Chien and Waunakee, Wisconsin.

Melissa was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma (bone cancer) at the age of 11. They gave her a 20% survival rate at diagnosis. She spent over a year fighting the cancer at the Children's Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin and during that time, she kept up with her schoolwork with the help of a tutor that came to the hospital. A heart felt thank you to her best friends that were there at the hospital to help her get through the treatments, Jessica, Erin and Brian. She was diagnosed at being cancer free at the age of 12 1/2.

Melissa graduated from Waunakee High School in 1999. She went on to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Since the bone cancer treatments were so aggressive, it was unlikely she would be able to have children. On March 1, 2003, she had a healthy miracle child, Jean Ann Rochester with Josh Miller. Jean is named after Melissa's best friend in the cancer ward who did not survive. She stayed in Waunakee and developed a relationship with Gregg Karls. They were together for nine years up until her move to Missouri. Gregg was there for everything in Jean's life and is still today.

Melissa left Wisconsin in 2014, to take care of a friend's sick mother; she lived in Clinton and Wausau, Missouri Areas. Her last job there was at Pop's Place as a cook. She loved her job and life, along with the people she worked with that welcomed her as family. Melissa loved hiking, rock climbing, cooking, star gazing, mushroom hunting, fishing and was always taking care of the elderly and sick. She had a love for frogs, whether they were stuffed or real.

Melissa is survived by her child Jean Ann Rochester and parents Dan and Carol Rochester; along with a number of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She was proceeded in death by her baby brother Travis Rochester and big sister Melinda Danielle Rochester.

Melissa left the earth on April 25, 2025 and went home to be with others we have lost.

Friends and family will remember Melissa at a celebration of life on September 7, 2025, in Wisconsin Dells, WI. She will live in the hearts of friends and family forever!