Melinda Jane Nolte

CALUMET - Melinda Jane Nolte (Bean), 42, went to join her Grandmother in Heaven on October 15, 2007, following a courageous battle with the rare cancer, Adrenocortical Carcinoma.

Melinda was born in Flint, Mich. and attended both Marine City High School in Marine City, Mich. and Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif. where she received her degree in Floral Design.

Melinda had many talents and was an avid writer, gourmet cook, fashion designer, housemother, and a real life example of a free spirit. Melinda lived life as the adventure it was meant to be and never played by the same rule book as we, maybe she had the deluxe rule book. She was a flower that never stopped blooming and waving back at the sun. During the last years of her life, she owned race horses who resided at Santa Anita Race Track in Arcadia, Calif. She managed the successful Mavericks Steakhouse in Pasadena, Calif. and most recently, she brought her boutique "The California Connection" to Houghton, which she later sold. Melinda resided in Calumet until her illness brought her back to UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif., where she lived the remainder of her life.

Melinda is survived by her husband, Lazar Samarzich of Bradbury, Calif.; her parents, Judy Bean-Lee and stepfather, Thomas H. Lee III of Phillips Ranch, Calif. and Tony Bean and stepmother, Patricia Bean of Hancock; brother, Mitchell Bean and his wife, Debbie; nephews, Josh Bean, Justin Bean; niece, Lindsay Bean and grandniece, Skylar Bean of Hancock; sisters, Heidi Mason and her husband, Pat of Calumet, Heather Bean of Hancock; Michele Reposa and her husband, Gerry, and nephew, Dakota Reposa of Harbor City, Calif.; grandmother, Margaerite Osborne; Cate Manning and family; Ed and Titienne Weber and family.

For all who knew Melinda, we know that she taught us and told us often that "Life is not a dress rehearsal, live, love, and laugh often." She influenced many people's lives. Melinda loved her dog "Little Guy", her constant companion. She will always be with us.

A Mass to celebrate Melinda's life will be held on Wednesday, July 23, at 9 a.m. at St. Ignatius Church, Houghton.