Melodee Gene Hensen-Perrett

Melodee Gene Hensen Perrett, 72, Boone, passed away at her home June 11, 2025.

A memorial service will be held by the family of Melodee Perrett on Saturday, June 21 at 11 a.m. at Jefferson Gospel Open Bible Church with Pastor Chad Cummings officiating. The Nightingale Tribute ceremony for nurses will be performed by Calhoun County Nurses Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, cards or donations may be addressed to family c/o Jefferson Gospel Open Bible Church 302 S. Grimmell, Jefferson, IA, 50129.  Cremation services were arranged by Dahn & Woodhouse Funeral Home and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

Melodee was born November 22, 1952, to Elmer Eugene (Gene) Hensen and his wife Esme Grace. She grew up alongside older sister Cathie on Windy Hill Homestead south of Scranton. In childhood, she tended to the creatures on her farm, which began a lifelong love of animals and nature. In her teenage years, Melodee was a cheerleader for the Scranton Trojans, played French Horn for All State, and graduated from Scranton High School in 1971. After graduation, she attended Iowa Central Community College, and then served in Billy Graham ministries. Her roommate introduced her to Gary Perrett and they had a secret wedding ceremony in North Carolina in September of 1976, with his Coast Guard buddies in attendance. They were married officially with family and friends in another ceremony in Iowa in January of 1977. She had their firstborn son, Coryal Gene Hensen Perrett while they lived in Boston, Massachusetts. Their second son Jesse William Hensen Perrett was born in Proctor, Minnesota in 1980. Their daughter Julie Ann Hensen Perrett followed in 1982 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Melodee was divorced from Gary Perrett in 1987. She moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia for a few years, where she worked as a real estate agent. She was also a registered cat breeder and a small business owner of Sandshore Siamese Cats. Melodee moved back to Iowa when her mother was diagnosed with cancer and pursued her degree at DMACC. While tending to her mother, she developed a passion for nursing and a desire to provide compassionate care for others. Her mother died in 1993, and Melodee powered through her studies to receive her degree and became a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1994. She worked in elder care as a night nurse at Bayard Nursing and Rehab from 1994 to 2006. She also worked as a First Responder for many years, serving as a storm spotter and as an EMT volunteer for Scranton. She loved the residents at the nursing home and was compassionate for the people she served in emergencies. She invested much of her time and heart into her work. She left her position in Bayard to work for Nurse Force in a skilled care position until she retired in 2017. She moved to Boone to be closer to her job in 2014.

Melodee was an avid gardener, with many houseplants and had a love of nature hikes and camping. She was happiest sunbathing on the beach and loved the ocean. Melodee was a talented seamstress and learned her sewing skills from her much beloved mother. Because her mother was a war bride from England during World War II, Melodee loved her British heritage. She enjoyed an annual 10 a.m. Christmas toast to her family overseas with her children, who still follow the tradition. Melodee was a lifelong fan of clothing and fashion. She was well-traveled, well-read, and loved a good adventure. She was a faithful steward of her family's legacy homestead, which has been recognized as a Greene County Century Farm and has housed seven generations of her family. She enjoyed collecting various fine items and had a fondness for baskets, clocks, flashlights, assorted bags and wide-brimmed hats. Her favorite thing to collect was stories, and she passed on a great wealth of family history. She considered her children and their children to be her greatest joy and deepest honor in life.

Melodee is survived by her two sons, Cory Perrett, Jesse Perrett and wife Joy, her daughter Julie Graesch and husband Matt; ten grandchildren, Ava Perrett, Xander Perrett, Lakota Perrett, Wyatt Perrett, Wesley Graesch, Fisher Graesch, David Perrett, Aria Graesch, and Jade Perrett; her sister Cathie Nelson and husband Howard, nephews Josh and Andrew Nelson, and various relatives overseas in England.

Melodee was preceded in death by her grandparents and parents.