Melinda Denise Gerrish, 57, of Indianola, Iowa, passed away Thursday, May 7, 2026 at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines. Services will be held at a later date.

Melinda was born February 22, 1969 in Colombus, Ohio to Jerald and Glenda (Carter) Cathel. She served in the United States Navy during Desert Storm. She had worked at MercyOne Medical Center as an Endoscopy RN.

Melinda enjoyed crocheting, fishing, spending time with family, especially her grandson.

Survivors include her daughters, Katelyn and Breanna Gerrish; grandson, Sterling Irish; sisters, Tammi Massengale, Amanda Cathel and Mary Griffith; brother, Ronald Cathel; mother, Glenda Cathel; half-brother, Robert Carter; and special friend, Tracey Gerrish. She was preceded in death by her father, Jerald “Jerry” Cathel; brother, Jerry Cathel; and grandparents, Carl and Bernice Cathel and Robert and Jane Carter.