Melissa Michka Deterling

Melissa Michka Deterling, lovingly known as Missy, 64, was called home to be with her Savior on June 4, 2024. She was born on January 29,1960 in Houston, Texas to parents Louis and Billie Louise Michka.

Missy was baptized into the faith at Trinity Lutheran Church in Houston on April 10, 1966. Missy attended Trinity Lutheran School throughout her elementary years. She attended Lutheran High School for one year before completing her high school education at Waltrip High School in Houston. Missy met Mark Deterling at choir practice at Trinity Lutheran Church in 1988 where they later married on December 23, 1989. Missy and Mark had no children but loved a range of dogs and cats over a 30+ year period.

Melissa was very sociable, generous, and caring. Missy loved to travel and being with family and friends. A future trip was always in the works, be it with Mark, her “traveling sisters” or her girls’ weekend family. Through the years, Missy was active in numerous groups, such as the Houston Lutheran Chorale, the Beta Sigma Phi sorority, church groups, Bible Studies, and reading clubs. Missy’s career included many administrative positions including 15 years at American Express and the last decade with Dinerstein Companies. Missy loved color and beautiful things. She was always working on weaving, needlepoint, and other projects. Missy lived life to the fullest and she will be greatly missed.

Missy is preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Billie Louise and her beloved sister Mindy. She is survived by her husband Mark, stepmother Evelyn Michka, brother-in-law Paul Fanning, father and mother-in-law Werner and Thelma Deterling, sister-in-law Gail Cyphers (Dusty), sister-in-law Joyce Carpenter (Aaron), four nephews and a niece, four great-nephews, and countless friends that were her extended family.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 29th at 10:30am at Trinity Downtown in Houston, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Compassion International at compassion.com.