Melissa E. Bastian-Nebelsick

Melissa Ellen Bastian Nebelsick was born in Freeport Illinois, August 20, 1950, to Janet (Baxter) and Leonard Bastian. She spent her childhood on the family farm in Shannon, Illinois, growing up with her 2 brothers, 2 sisters, and numerous cousins. When Melissa was in her teens, her family moved to Aurelia, Iowa, where she graduated from High School. She attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Library Science & Education. In 1990, she studied at the University of Oklahoma, Economic Development Institute, and became a Certified Economic Developer. Melissa also pursued graduate credit in Communication Studies at the University of Kansas. Her love of literature and her first chosen profession, took her to Fairfield, Iowa, where she was the Librarian at Fairfield High School. It was there that she met her soul mate and love of her life, Arnold Nebelsick. They were united in marriage in Cherokee, Iowa, on August 17, 1974. Melissa's intuitive business savvy, combined with her intelligent logic and desire to work on behalf of others, served her well in her business career. She made an important positive impact on many people and projects. With each move Arnie & Melissa made, she forged her own way, finding her greatest satisfaction was in helping others achieve their goals. In 1979, Melissa was Manager of Research & Information in the Economic Development Department, in Dubuque Iowa. In 1985, she was Project Manager for the Mainstreet Urban Demonstration Project of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In 1987, Melissa & Arnie moved to Kansas. Melissa immediately embraced the challenge of a new opportunity with the Kansas Department of Commerce, as an Industrial Development Representative responsible for 11 states. In 1991, Melissa started her own consulting business, MBN Incorporated, and became a Consultant to the Kansas Department of Commerce. She made such an important positive impact, her photo appeared on the cover of the Kansas Department of Commerce brochure. She received letters of commendation from the Governor of Kansas for her professionalism and contributions to the State, and was invited to attend The State of Kansas Gubernatorial Inaugural activities of 1991. In 1998, Melissa began her career with Ernst & Young as Manager in the State & Local Tax Business Incentives Practice. From 2000 until her passing, Melissa was a Senior Manager with Deloitte, Chicago. She loved her work, her colleagues and the challenges each new day brought. Her contagious smile and keen unselfish desire to work with and for others, gave her joy and satisfaction. One of her colleagues once said of Melissa, "Somehow I felt better about myself, simply because she took the time to say hello to me in the hallway". Everyone who came in contact with Melissa left with a piece of her, she joyfully and graciously left behind. Career rewards come in many ways, and one of Melissa's fondest memories was in 2013, when she was invited to the Michigan 400, and was honored to ride in one of the ceremonial pace cars and experience racing life behind the scenes. Melissa knew how to live in the moment, and savor the fun. Besides her work, Melissa found time to pursue her interest in literature. She was a voracious reader, and loved classics as well as the work of modern authors. She and Arnie loved to travel, visiting many places throughout the world, as well as within the United States. She loved cooking, baking & gardening. It was important to her that irises from her husband's great grandmother's farm be nurtured in her own garden, and passed on. After her 15 month courageous battle with cancer, Melissa passed peacefully into eternal life on January 15, 2016. She is survived by her husband Arnold Nebelsick, father Leonard Bastian, brother Merek Bastian, brother Linden (Debra) Bastian, sister Jalinda Bastian, sister Janelle (Rick) McLean, sister-in-law Audrey (Glenn) Rice, sister-in-law Ardyce (Jim) Conley. She was preceded in death by her mother, Janet Bastian, sister-in-law, Judy Bastian, her father-in-law Leonard Nebelsick, and mother-in-law Lillian Nebelsick. Visitation: Sunday, February 14, 2016, 1:00-3:00PM. Memorial Service: Monday, February 15, 2016, 10:00AM. Location for both: Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home 504 N. Walnut Freeport, Illinois 61032 Phone: 815-233-0613 In memory of Melissa Nebelsick's dedication to her profession and her relentless pursuit to help others become the best they can be, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) has established a scholarship fund in her honor. The fund will help women in pursuit of becoming a Certified Economic Developer. In Memoriam contributions to the fund may be made out to IEDC/Melissa Nebelsick Scholarship, and mailed to: IEDC/Melissa Nebelsick Scholarship Fund, c/o Kellie Danielson, President & CEO, Montana West Economic Development, 12 Wheat Grass Lane, Kalispell, Montana 59901.