Melissa Marie Bernhardt, 39 years, of Fort Madison, Iowa died unexpectedly Friday, February 27, 2026 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, Fort Madison.  She was born March 20, 1986 in California, the daughter of Misty Arp.  On February 14, 2006, she married William J "Bill" Bernhardt  in Peoria, Illinois.  They had two children, Makenna and Wyatt.

She was a homemaker and lived in the area for 15 years.  She enjoyed music, singing, and reading - especially romance novels.  Melissa always loved, cared, and supported her family and friends.

She is survived by her husband, Bill Bernhardt of Fort Madison; her mother, Misty Arp of Peoria, Illinois; two children, Makenna Bernhardt (Dawson Knipe) and Wyatt Bernhardt, all of Fort Madison; one sister, Denise (Joshua) Rice of Colorado; aunt and uncle, Jodi (Thomas) McCoy; other family members and friends.  She was preceded in death by her grandparents.

A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.