Oklee - Verna Melby, 73, died Tuesday, July 27, 1999 at McIntosh Manor Nursing Home in McIntosh.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 30 at Zion Lutheran Church in Oklee with Reverend Roland Saethre officiating. Erin Melby was the organist, and Anne Ewing was the vocalist. Casketbearers were Clifton Melby, Isaac Melby, Jacob Melby, James Ewing, John Lerohl and Robert Melby. Burial was in the Zion Cemetery near Oklee. Arrangements were with the Petterson Funeral Home of Oklee.
Verna Ardella Melby was born on September 27, 1925 in Oklee, the daughter of Ole O. and Gertrude (Nesland) Melby. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church of Oklee and graduated from Oklee High School. She worked at the Melby Store until it was sold in 1978.
She was an active member of the circle at Zion Lutheran Church, and she also taught Sunday school and sang in the church choir for several years. She especially enjoyed children, and spending time visiting with friends at the Oklee bowling alley.
Verna is survived by three sisters, Gladys Ewing of Thief River Falls, Alice Boyd of Silver Spring, MD and Jeanette Anderson of Minnetonka; one brother, Harold (Beatrice) Melby of Minnetonka; two sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Katherine Gull; and two brothers, Thomas Melby and Orlo Melby.
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