Melitta was born in Gunzburg, Germany at the beginning of WWII to Viktoria Fink and biological father Walter Linke. Her mother later married Walter Ottilinger. They had Melitta’s half-sister named Gertrud Elisabet Ottilinger (Eisele) on February 16, 1945.
Melitta apprenticed in hotel management at a beautiful mountain resort in Germany but could not finish her apprenticeship because her mom was very ill, and she needed to help her grandmother nurse her mom back to health and work in the family restaurant.
Melitta met her first husband Edward Freshour in the restaurant. He was a GI in the American Army during WWII. They married and Melitta became an army wife, where she traveled to the United States and eventually settled in Oregon where his family resided. They had one son together, Dennis Lee Freshour. Eventually, Ed and Melitta divorced after many years of marriage.
Melitta worked for Polar Bear Restaurant in Gresham, Oregon, Triple XXX Drive-in in Sandy, Oregon and for the Sandy Animal Clinic.
Melitta remarried to Erwin A Teague on February 12, 1983. She moved to Boring, Oregon where she helped Erwin run his business, Teague’s Tire Service. Erwin passed away on June 18, 1998. She never remarried.
Shortly after Erwin’s death, she moved to Molalla, Oregon to be closer to family.
Melitta is survived by her sister Gerti Eisele (Karl-Heinz), nephew Wolfgang Eggenberger (Ester), one great niece, Lisa and great nephew Alexander, son Dennis Freshour (Deb), two grandchildren Derek Freshour (Hayley) and Jodi Freshour Stith; great grandchildren Deegan, Cade, Paisley, and Maddox, stepson Martin Teague (Jacqualynn), Michael Teague (Linda), grandchildren Oscar, Lyric, and Jacob, and sister-in-law Christina Brown.
She was preceded in death by her mother, father, ex-husband Edward Freshour, and her husband Erwin A Teague and mother-in-law Lieselotte F. Teague.
Melitta never did anything halfway. Although she was short in stature and small in size, she could never be underestimated. She was a tireless worker and did everything par excellence. Erwin once commented of being so amazed at her “getting everything done”.
Being her sister-in-law and spending much time with her, Chrissy could testify of her tenacity and strong will. She was never a complainer, she always tried to look for the positive in every situation.
Her life was by no means easy, but she made it look so. She loved life and lived it to the fullest.
Sadly, dementia took over this vibrant, loving, hardworking soul. She made her mark on the world and, certainly, will be missed.
Dear Melitta: Take the love with you that has been freely given from here, but mostly embrace all the love you will be encountering at your destination. Fly away!
A celebration of life will be held at Sandy Funeral Home in Sandy, Oregon on Friday, March 3 at 1:30 pm. Viewing will be held on the same day at 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Flowers may be sent to the funeral home or donate to your favorite charity with Melitta’s memory in mind.