Melissa Brotz

Musgrove Family Mortuary

Altogether<br/>4307 Vineland Road, Suite H-17-19, Orlando, FL 32811<br/>For more information, visit our website at <a href='www.altogetherfuneral.com'>www.altogetherfuneral.com</a><br/>Copyright © 2025 FPG Intermediate Holdco, LLC

Melissa Marie Brotz of Eugene, Oregon, aged 54, passed away on Monday, March 11th, after valiantly battling cancer and embracing life on her own terms. A true Oregonian at heart, Melissa spent much of her youth on horseback. From a young age, she excelled in hunters and jumpers, and her competitive spirit led her to success in prestigious equestrian events across the country and a career as a professional trainer.  Along the way, she developed cherished, lifelong friendships. Melissa's spirit of adventure led her to becoming an Oregon Duck.  She loved attending games at Autzen, eventually purchasing season tickets, which she called the "best seats in the house."  Her adventurous soul led to a gap year in the mountains growing her love of skiing.  These years only added to her circle of lifelong friends. Upon her return to Eugene, Melissa's life took a romantic turn when she met Puck, and together they embarked on a 20-year journey filled with love.  Puck shared a love of his home in Elkhart Lake, WI, where they made the “Swamp Castle” a place of family fun, (along with a few toga and disco parties.)  They shared their love for its crystal-clear waters with their daughters Elsa and Hattie, and, of course, made wonderful, lifelong friends. The sudden loss of Puck to a heart event deeply impacted Melissa, reinforcing her belief in the preciousness of life. She embraced every moment with Elsa and Hattie, their lives a whirlwind of travel filled with surfing, skiing, attending concerts and the X-Games, and magical trips to Disney.  Melissa was always open to extending their adventures and the annual “4 Puck Ski Show” always was, “the best day of the summer”.  Their journeys were not just about the places but the experience and friends they made along the way. Melissa's heart found room for love again with Jamie, with whom she shared her zest for "doing all the things," from savoring big red wines and great restaurants, dancing to Milky Chance, and many, many concerts.  She cherished quiet, loving moments with Jamie too. Together, they faced Melissa's cancer with courage and resilience, and in this chapter too, they were blessed with the support of compassionate, amazing friends. Melissa's legacy is a tapestry woven from her love of life, her deep devotion to her daughters, family, and the enduring connections with her close friends. She is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Hattie and Elsa Brotz; her partner, Jamie Benson; her mother, Linda Kienlen; her sisters, Amy Gau and Kim (Joe) Anthony; sister-in-law Caroline Brotz-Twohig (GJ; brother-in-law Jeff Gau; and preceded in death by her husband, Patrick Brotz (Puck), and her father, Charles (Danny) Sparks.  There are too many to mention, but dear friends Polly Nelson, Holly Campbell, Kristi McCondochie, Tammy Crosby, Buffy Ritchie, Jen Kozumplik, Jenny Anderson, Amy Bloch, Cindy Feldman, Jennifer Monte (and a cast of thousands) have been there for Melissa for all the fun, along with the trials of cancer. Melissa believed her strength would lead to a cure for her disease.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation®. Melissa's life is a testament to the beauty of forging deep connections and living with a heart open to adventure. As we remember her, let us cherish the memories and the friendships that meant so much to her. A celebration of Melissa’s life will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6th at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1385 Oakway Rd, Eugene.   A Wisconsin celebration of life will be held in Elkhart Lake in July.

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Melissa Brotz Obituary | Altogether