Connie Marie Melugin

Connie Melugin age 79 of Waterloo, formerly of Fredericksburg, died Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo.

Private family services will be held.

Connie was born July 20, 1946, in New Hampton, Iowa, the daughter of Waldon and Arlene (Slack) Koehler.

Connie grew up in Fredericksburg, Iowa, where she graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1964. She later attended the State College of Iowa (now the University of Northern Iowa) for a time before enrolling at Pitze’s Waterloo School of Beauty, where she completed her training and began a career as a hairstylist.

On September 14, 1968, Connie was united in marriage to John William Melugin at Peace United Church of Christ in Fredericksburg, Iowa. The two had been neighbors after Connie’s family moved to Fredericksburg in the 1950s. Early in their marriage they lived in Clovis, New Mexico from 1969 to 1970 while John served in the United States Air Force. They later lived briefly in Sumner in 1971, before purchasing their home in Waterloo in the spring of 1972. In 2004, Connie and John moved to an acreage where they enjoyed country life together.

Connie dedicated 50 years to her career as a hairstylist. She began her work at Leona’s House of Hair in New Hampton and later worked at several salons throughout the Cedar Valley including Pitze’s Beauty Salon, Head Hunter Salon, Image Makers Salon, Visions Hair Studio, and Elegance Salon.

Music was a significant part of Connie’s life. She was a member of the Cedar Harmony Sweet Adeline Female Barbershop Chorus for 28 years, singing in the bass section. She was actively involved in the organization, serving on the board in leadership roles and frequently acting as Mistress of Ceremonies during public performances.

Throughout her life, Connie was deeply involved in her community. She participated in Girl Scouts as a child and later served as a troop leader during the 1980s when her daughter, Jennifer, was involved. She enjoyed playing softball, bowling, golfing, and motorcycle riding in her younger years. Connie was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Waterloo, where she taught fourth grade Sunday School in the 1990s. She was also active in the Waterloo Schools Parent Teacher Associations and the West High School Band Boosters.

Connie enjoyed knitting, reading, cooking, singing, and warmly hosting family and friends in her cozy home. One of her greatest joys was being “Mimi” to her granddaughter, Elise, proudly encouraging and cheering on her musical performances.

She is survived by her husband, John Melugin of Waterloo; her daughter, Jennifer (Bryan) Melugin of Elgin, Illinois; and her granddaughter, Elise Melugin. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Jane (John) Brooks of Fredericksburg, Iowa, and Vicki Koehler of Tama, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Waldon and Arlene Koehler, and her brother, Richard “Dick” Koehler.