Melissa Anne Danielson-McHale, May 24, 1972-October 10, 2022, age 50, passed away peacefully on Monday October 10th, 2022 with family by her side.
In 2016, Melissa was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer that she fought for six long years.
Melissa was born in Waupaca, WI to Donna (Evilsizor) Ferg and David Danielson and graduated from Waupaca High School in the class of 1990. On January 12th 1993, her daughter, Elisa (Danielson) Mateo was born. She was united in marriage to Mike
McHale on August 16th, 2014 and together enjoyed over eight years of marriage.
“The biggest and kindest heart ever” is how Melissa “Missy” was often described. She touched the lives of everyone she met in a special and unforgettable way. She loved connecting and helping people of all ages. She delivered Meals on Wheels and
co-owned and operated Kidz Kab, a successful transportation business for children in the Fox Valley until 2011 when she moved to Beaufort, South Carolina. She worked for several years as a certified nursing assistant. She pursued a bachelors of science
degree in nursing and graduated at the top of her class from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2016. After nursing school, she worked on a level one ortho trauma unit at Savannah Memorial in Georgia. She moved to Florida where she worked as a home health nurse for United Health Care.
In her spare time, Melissa enjoyed playing sand volleyball, kayaking, dancing, laughing, traveling, and playing with her two dogs Murphy and Maya. She enjoyed being surrounded by family and friends and was fortunate to have just celebrated her 50th birthday with them recently. She had a knack for planning epic events for her friends and family and would want friends and family to continue pursuing their goals and dreams and live life to the fullest.
Hundreds of friends and family members came together to become “Missy’s Angels” in support of her battle through encouragement, prayer, and fund-raising events. Missy ended her fight of six years on her terms and in her way. She rang the bell, earned her wings, and became our guardian angel. She defied medical expectations and performed miracles of her own through her strength and love of life.
Melissa is survived by her husband, Mike McHale, former husband, Donald Trader; daughter, Elisa (Jorge) Mateo; step daughter Angel Trader; mother, Donna (Evilsizor) Ferg; father, David Danielson, step father, Thomas Ferg; brothers, Aarick Danielson (friend Karen), Jeff Ferg (friend Veronika), Jake Danielson; sisters, Jaime (Adam) Martinez, Katie (Jody) Garcia, Jenny (Scott) Danielson, Karly (Lucas) Morgan, Jeni (Justin) Desmond, Meggie (Andrew) Wadsworth; step-siblings, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jennie and Paul Evilsizor, Muggs and Adelyne Danielson, and stepson Sky Trader.
Melissa’s wish was for friends and family to gather for a “big party”. An informal Celebration of Life will be held for Melissa starting at 3 pm until about 10pm on Sunday October 30, 2022 at Waverly Beach, N8770 Fire Lane 1, Menasha, WI 54952.
Melissa’s family and friends would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL for their care and Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca, WI for prayers.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation in Melissa’s memory: https://curecca.link/MelissaDanielson-McHale