Melody Lyn Mildward was born on January 1, 1966 in Wahoo Nebraska to the late Jerry and Cherie Courtney. She died January 26, 2022 after an extensive battle with COVID and pneumonia. She grew up in Mississippi alongside her brother and sisters, Crystal, Stacy, and Jane. In 1975 they moved back to Nebraska where she attended Valley High School, graduating in 1983. While attending high school she met the love of her life Rick a.k.a. "Red", the definition of high school sweethearts. They married October 12, 1984 and went on to have 3 daughters, Melissa, Heather, and Jamie.  On June 19, 1996 Red, Melody, and the girls moved to Wilber where Melody started working at Food Mesto while she studied and obtained her Medication Aide and Nursing Assistant licenses. She went on to work at the Wilber Care Center for a number of years.  In August of 2013 they moved to their farm and began the next chapter of their life and what would be her favorite, being grandparents.  Melody enjoyed everything in life, traveling, shopping, Texas, her family and friends, but mainly her dogs and grandkids and boy did she have a lot of them. Being a Grandma was the highlight of her life and she was definitely the best, but just like her Grandmother she was stern as hell.  She had the biggest heart and a compassionate soul to match. She was so full of life and always had a smile on her face even when she was calling one of us an idiot!  Melody was preceded in death by her parents Jerry Courtney and Cherie Barnhill. Her grandmother Hazel Barnhill. Her Uncle John Barnhill. Her father-in-law Donald Mildward.  She was survived in death by her husband Red, her daughters Melissa (Wilber, NE), Heather (Colt-Wilber, NE), and Jamie (Tristan-Wilber, NE). Her grandchildren Riqui, Junior, Melody, Alex, Wyatt, Emma, Sebastian, Stryder, and Boone.  Her brother Stacey Courtney (Kelly-Omaha, NE). Her sisters Jane Lawson (Keith-Valley, NE) and Crystal Dillon (Kurt-Macon, GA).  Her Aunt and Uncle Fred and Clarice Barnhill (Elkhorn, NE), and her Aunt and Uncle Louie and Theresa (Summeral, MS).  Her mother-in-law Jeannie Kay Mildward (Kinglake, NE) and her brother-in-law Kip Mildward (Val-Fremont, NE).  Her soul sister Vera "Buddha" Franklin (Devine, TX) and her fur babies Bowdean, Wendell, Georgie, and Dragon, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.  Honorary Pallbearers: Riqui (16), Junior (15), Melody (12), Alex (12), Wyatt (12), Emma (9), Sebastian (8), Stryder (5), and Boone (4).  Service will be held on Wednesday February 2, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Kuncl Funeral home in Wilber, Ne. The family requests casual attire (jeans and sweaters are appropriate). Memorials are in care of the family for future designation.  Arrangements entrusted to Kuncl Funeral Home in Wilber.