Melvina (Mel) K. Sexton

Melvina (Mel) K. Sexton, 97, of Topeka, passed away on Saturday March 8, 2025 with her loving family by her side. She was born March 29, 1927 on the family farm in Pfeifer, Kansas, a Volga German immigrant community near Hays. She attended Holy Cross Church in Pfeifer Kansas, graduated as valedictorian from Schoenchen High School in 1945, and later in 1950 from business college in Mobile, Alabama, where she excelled in shorthand and as clerk typist.

She had a 34-year career with the Federal Civil Service, which began in 1953 at Brookley Air Force Base, in Mobile; continued at the Adjutant’s Office at the Topeka Forbes Air Force Depot; the US Army Corps of Engineers, during construction of missile sites surrounding Topeka Kansas; the Missile Office, Forbes Air Force Base; the US Treasury Department; and the US Agriculture Department, where she retired as a Personnel Management Specialist in 1985.

She was a loving wife to her husband J.D. whom she met at Camp Phillips, Salina in 1944 during World War II. After a year of exchanging letters, they married in 1945 in Montgomery, AL. She supported his career in the Army Reserve by attending numerous reunions of participants in the Battle of the Bulge and she frequently accompanied him to Reserve summer camps.

She was a loving mother to her children and instilled in them the value of a first class education, motivated by her thwarted desire to continue her education in college. As a consequence of her dedication to education, both her children and all three of her grandchildren attained Ph.Ds.

She was self-taught in the art of crocheting, a craft she used in making comforters for grandchildren and many other relatives. She volunteered at the Seelos Center in New Orleans, LA, by crocheting the border of third-class relics of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, for over 15 years.

Survivors include her daughter, Charlene, a clinical social worker (Joe Hesse, deceased); son J. Stan, an attorney (Tommye); grandchildren Chris Sexton, a developmental psychologist (Chris Lominska); Jay Sexton, a history professor (Julie Wood); and Caroline Hesse, a bilingual education professional (Haman Sharma). Surviving great grandchildren include Sophie and Benjamin Lominska, Georgia and Stella Sexton and Josephine Hesse-Sharma. She is also survived by her sole remaining sister of six sisters, Vera Toyzan of Albuquerque, NM. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial service will be announced at a future date and subsequent inurnment of Melvina and her beloved husband, J.D., who preceded her in death in 2017, will be at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, AL.

In lieu of flowers or floral arrangements, memorials may be made to the EWTN, 5817 Old Leeds Rd., Irondale, AL 35210-9768 or to Holy Cross Charities,1313 Steven Drive, Hays, Ks. 67601 (supporting the Holy Cross Shrine in Pfeifer KS where Melvina grew up), or the Historical Society of Germans from Russia, Lincoln, NE. Alternatively, memorials may be delivered to Brennan-Mathena funeral home, 800 SW. 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603 for transfer to other charities.

To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit, www.brennanmathenafh.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.