Karlstad - Alpha M. Melby, 90, died Saturday, March 21, 1998 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Joyce and Wesley Gjovik, at Mankato.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24 at the Karlstad Baptist Church with Pastor Jim Mickelson and Reverend John A. Riveness officiating. Alpha's granddaughter, Carolyn Dennis, was the organist, and Debbie Mickelson was the pianist. Casketbearers were her grandsons, Stephen Bradley, Shane Bradley, Brian Wikstrom, Jonathan Wikstrom, Keith Wikstrom, Nathan Olson, Todd Gjovik, Jeremy Gjovik, Cameron Gjovik and Leslie Andersen. Interment was in Bethel Lutheran Cemetery in Greenbush. The Collins Funeral Home of Karlstad was in charge of the arrangements.
Alpha Mathilda Docken was born on May 30, 1907 in Juneberry township of Roseau county near Greenbush, the daughter of Ole and Lena Docken. She attended school and attended school there.
On October 24, 1936 she was united in marriage to Helge C. Melby at Badger. The couple farmed in Barnett township near Greenbush until January of 1949 when they moved to their farm in Dewey township, also near Greenbush. Alpha moved to Karlstad following Helge's death on April 5, 1975. She has been in failing health since suffering a stroke two years ago.
She was a member of the Karlstad Baptist Church.
Alpha is survived by five daughters, Marlene (Willis) Bradley of Kulm, ND, Joyce (Wesley) Gjovik of Mankato, Lucille (Leslie) Wikstrom of Karlstad, Gloria (Marlin) Olson of Apple Valley and Helen (Leon) Andersen of Rothsay; 19 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; one sister, Rosella Spangrud of Portland, OR; one brother, Kenneth of Beaverton, OR; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; one son, John Edward in infancy; seven brothers; and two sisters.