Melba Lash

The memorial service for Melba T. Lash, 88, of  Stewartville,MN will be at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday(June 22, 2019) at Calvary Baptist Church in Rochester,MN with Rev. Dwight LaPine officiating. Melba died on Tuesday (June 18,  2019) of natural causes at her home.

Melba Tompkins was born on July 19, 1930 in Danvers,ILL to Edward and Thelma(Walk) Tompkins. She grew up in Milton,ILL, attended school there,  graduating from Milton H.S. in 1948. She then attended Prairie Bible Institute in Alberta, Canada for 2 years. Melba was married in December of 1953 to Richard G. Lash. Pastor Lash and Melba and their girls moved in 1956 to Korea where they served as  missionaries in four different cities including Seoul. They returned to the U.S. in 1971, moving to Pleasant Grove,MN where Pastor Lash began his ministry at Pleasant Grove Church of Christ. They were later divorced. Melba and her son Kevin moved to Stewartville. Melba was married on October 19, 2004 in Red Wing,MN to William “Bill” Bardwell. Following their marriage the couple have continued to make their home in Stewartville. Melba and Bill and were currently attending services at Calvary Baptist Church. Melba lived a faith-based life and kept her Bible near. She was an avid reader and prodigious gardener, enjoyed music and played the piano and violin. She loved time spent with family, especially her grandchildren.

Melba is survived by her husband – William Bardwell of  Stewartville and  1 son and 2 daughters – Dorothy Morris of Rochester; Dawn Lash of Hopkins, MN; Kevin(Angela) Lash and their children –Anna and Joseph of Rochester and other Tompkins family in Illinois. She was preceded in death by her rents.

A time of visitation for family and friends will take place from 5 to 7:00 P.M. on Friday (June 21, 2019) at Griffin-Gray F.H.in Stewartville and 1 hr. prior to the service at the church on Saturday morning. Burial will take place at Union Cemetery in Pleasant Grove,MN. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Melba are welcome at www.griffin-gray

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