Melba Jean (Fowler) Jaskolski was born in Chaffee, Missouri on July 4, 1930 to Robert and Minta Fowler. She was their 10th child. She graduated from Chaffee High School in 1948. In 1949 she wanted to join the Marine Corps but her parents would not sign the waiver. Two of her brothers, who were in the Navy stationed at Alameda Air Station, convinced her to go to California and they would sign her waiver. After several weeks of enjoying the California coast both brothers deployed without signing the needed waiver. She was forced to get a job at Pacific Bell Telephone Company in San Francisco. She worked there until 1964.

In a whirlwind romance she met Thomas Jaskolski in June of 1963, was engaged in November, and married on February 8, 1964. They were blessed with four children Julie Ann in 1965, Thomas Leo Jr. in 1966, and the twins Robert Leo and Michael Leo in 1970. The family lived in Millbrae, CA until 1976 when they moved to San Jose; CA. Melba was the bookkeeper and secretary to Tom's business, Millbrae Transfer.

In a promise that Melba could be a stay at home mom without having to do the books, the family moved to Pinedale, WY in August of 1979. Instead they bought Big J's Auto Parts where she again did all the billing, inventory, and bookkeeping. She worked at the store until 2011 when they sold the business to Julie (Jaskolski) & Randy Belton.

Melba enjoyed softball, riding horses, riding snowmachines, camping, gardening, sewing, traveling to watch her boys play football, being with her children, and later watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren play sports and just hanging out with them. Her biggest passion was bowling. She bowled through all of her pregnancies in CA. She continued bowling in Wyoming, having to travel to Rock Springs for many years. In 2003 she, with Julie at her side won the Wyoming Women's Bowling Association state championship. Her zeal for bowling never ended. She started Wii bowling at Rendezvous Pointe. She looked forward to that each week, so much so that she actually bowled on the very last day of her life.

Over the years she was a member of many clubs and organizations including: The Pinedale Snow Explorers, Sage and Snow Garden Club, 2BetterU Homemakers, FFA Alumni, Wrangler Boosters, PFAC, and the Sour Dough's. She kept busy with her family while the children were in 4-H and FFA. She loved attending all the community events; Never missing the Bondurant BBQ, Chuck Wagon Days, Rendezvous, Boat Club Picnic, the PFAC performances, or the 4th of July Town Picnic.

On May 8, 2019 Melba Jean, 88, died at home unexpectedly, peacefully, and quickly.
She is survived by her husband Thomas (Tiger) Jaskolski; Her loving dog, Annie; Julie (Randy) Belton; Thomas Jaskolski, Jr.; Robert Jaskolski; Michael (Laurie) Jaskolski; One sister in law, Jackie Fowler; 10 grandchildren-Chad (Jennifer) Belton, Shaina Belton, Rebecca Belton, Aaron Belton, Blake Jaskolski, Shane Jaskolski, Ryan Reh, Aspen Jaskolski, Michael Jaskolski, and Jordan Pivic.; 6 great grandchildren: Braylee Kinney, Jazlin Kinney, Iyanna Belton-Crowell, Rhea Belton, Joseph Belton-Bomba, baby Pivic and 1 on the way; and Many nieces and nephews.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Melba's funeral services will be held on May 25th at 11 AM at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Pinedale. Following will be a celebration of life at Rendezvous Pointe Senior Center starting at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Melba, Thomas has asked for donations be made to Rendezvous Pointe, PO Box 804, Pinedale, WY 82941-0804.