Melissa Irene Klingeman Ingram

Melissa had so much enthusiasm for life and lived vibrantly and generously. She made the most of every moment of her 62 years. And while she had dreams and fun plans for the future, she was taken home to Heaven early after two years battling two primary cancers, Addison’s disease, and a bad infection. She fought hard for her family until she was able to rest.

Melissa’s family and friends were her greatest joy and source of pride. She is survived by her longtime loving partner, Daniel Ingram, husband of 43 years; her children and grandchildren, Stacey Ingram Kaleh and Brian, Summer, and Siena, Drew Ingram and Leigh, Lily, and Derek; a big extended family and many, many friends.

Born March 8, 1962, to Clarice and Morris Klingeman, parents she loved and admired dearly, Melissa grew up in Travis Country here in Austin. She fondly recalled her childhood riding horses, swimming, babysitting, and going to as many concerts and get-togethers as possible. She went to legendary shows at the Armadillo World Headquarters, Liberty Lunch, and Raul’s, and loved rock ‘n roll and country music. She was in the first class to attend Austin High at its location on Town Lake. Throughout her life, she told stories about her friends and family, was a keeper of family histories, recipes, and traditions, and served as a great connector for her vast community.

When Melissa was 16 years old, she met the love of her life, Danny. She spent most of her life living in love. Melissa and Danny both attended The University of Texas at Austin (Melissa earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the McCombs School of Business) and built a life, family, and homes together. They charted their own course and committed to prioritizing family, faith, and service to others. They enjoyed spending time on Lake Travis, boating and floating, and fulfilled their dream of building a home there. Melissa was fun-loving and adventurous and always planned exciting dates and celebrations, and Danny has many good times to reflect upon.

Melissa worked in finance in banking early in her career, and partnered with her dad Morris to build a local real estate business. She enjoyed working with her dad and meeting and befriending many different people. When Melissa became a mom, she shifted to freelance work and supported Danny’s career at the American Cancer Society in service to cancer research, a cause she wholeheartedly supported.

Melissa and Danny raised Stacey and Drew in Austin, creating a very fun and encouraging environment. Melissa supported her kids’ dreams, drove them to school and packed their lunches every day from grades K-12, read aloud to them regularly, was a fantastic cook, and planned fun times and trips — whether they were day visits to Fiesta Texas or the zoo or drives across state lines to Florida and Washington or voyages to Hawaii and Europe. She also loved to play with her kids and grandkids, and was a toy connoisseur if there ever was one. She took a genuine interest in her kids’ passions and helped them learn to read, study, and work hard to achieve their goals. She taught them life skills like how to cook, purchase a home, take care of a home, manage finances, shop for the best deals, and, most importantly, be good parents and friends. When her kids chose partners, she embraced them as her own children.

Melissa was overjoyed to be a grandmother, called “Omi” by her grandkids in honor of her German heritage and dad, who was called “Opa.” Omi watched all four of her grandchildren – Lily (7), Summer (6), Derek (6), and Siena (3) nearly every weekday during their earliest years. Omi’s house was full of educational and entertaining toys and books, and filled with plenty of great snacks at all times. All four grandchildren will always benefit from her love and support that has instilled in them warmth, safety, trust, a great appetite for learning and play.

The ultimate caregiver, Melissa’s compassion extended far beyond her own children and grandchildren. She was a second mom and trusted adult confidante for many of Stacey and Drew’s friends and her friends’ children, a reliable ride (with snacks) anywhere you needed to go — from concerts to sports practices to classes and doctor’s appointments — and a brilliant source of advice. Melissa’s nieces and nephews loved to stay with her and she watched over them and their children as well. She was known as the “fun aunt” and great aunt. Melissa was also the primary caretaker for her parents. She truly rooted for all of her loved ones by showing up and taking action to support and champion their best interests.

Volunteering and generosity were core to Melissa’s way of life and being. Melissa’s faith and belief in a loving and forgiving God was strong and palpable. She not only shared her values but modeled them, practicing gratitude, forgiveness, and taking it upon herself to tirelessly help others. She was a volunteer and leader at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, where she was a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, Stephen Minister, and served on the bereavement committee, and at Spirit in the Hills Lutheran Church, where she served as a council member and helped lead the “Blessings in a Backpack” program for school children. Melissa was also an active volunteer at Oak Hill Elementary, Clint Small Middle School, Bowie High School, and West Cypress Hills Elementary. A lifetime member of the PTO, she led numerous programs, scholarship initiatives, and planning committees for fun events for students across South Austin. She generously gave her time, talent, and her treasure to charitable causes. Some causes close to her heart included education, especially reading and literacy programs for children, women’s empowerment, the protection of children, feeding the unhoused and underserved, and working toward an end to cancer. As Melissa volunteered and served as a neighbor and beacon of optimism in her communities, she made many lifelong friends along the way.

Melissa loved to travel and sought out adventures with learning opportunities. She planned road trips with eclectic pit stops like Carlsbad Caverns, the Buddy Holly Museum, and the UFO Museum in Roswell, and traveled to Germany to see distant relatives and learn about family history there. She loved the outdoors — both the beach and mountains — and often chose to visit waterfalls, beaches, and national parks. Melissa found joy in seeing and learning about different types of plants and animals, especially birds. She also visited big cities like New York, Paris, Vienna, Rome, and Copenhagen, and delighted in museums, churches, and historical places. And, she loved taking day trips with Danny to different places in Texas, reading historical markers, shopping at local boutiques, and enjoying wine and wildflowers.

As of 2022, Melissa visited all 50 states in the U.S. When asked which were her favorites, she said there was something that made each worth visiting. That was her personality – embracing gratitude, curiosity, and wonder — always looking for the good and for something to appreciate.

Melissa is also well-known for her great sense of humor and the light and laughter she brought to any project or gathering. She was always cracking jokes or surprising people with well-intended pranks or by dropping one of her favorite sayings, like “Laughter is the best medicine” or “Let go and let God,” into the mix.

Melissa was full of energy, continuously “fixin’ to” do something, and talking, talking, talking. She was incredibly smart and strong-willed, a creative problem-solver, and constant helper. She didn’t meet a stranger. She initiated conversations with people everywhere she went – from the grocery store to the bank to drive-thrus — and truly got to know people. She would ask about their families and even make connections and discover links between other people in her family or community. She was a lifelong learner and avid reader. And she was widely known as the best hostess and best gift-giver because of the thoughtfulness and intention she led with.

Melissa was brave and authentic — she didn’t try to be anyone other than herself, and there is no one like her.

Melissa loved to play, loved to teach, and loved to discover new things. But most of all, Melissa loved people. She loved them deeply.

Melissa lived a life that is truly an inspiration, and has left us with countless stories, laughs, lessons, cherished memories, and so, so much love.

We invite all who hold Melissa dear to join a funeral and celebration of her life at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in downtown Austin at 11 am on Saturday, March 8, 2025.

If so compelled, the family welcomes donations in Melissa’s honor to the American Cancer Society, Spirit in the Hills Lutheran Church, or a charity of your choosing.