Viking - Ernest Melvie Sr., 89, died Monday, November 23, 1998 at the CNC Unit of Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 28 at First Baptist Church in Thief River Falls with Pastor Don Roach officiating. Gloria Lee was the organist, and Virgil and Marville Hjelle provided vocal music.
Casketbearers were Jeff Hugg, Joshua Hugg, Alan Melvie, Joel Melvie, Kelvin Melvie, Kraig Melvie and Shane Wahl. Honorary casketbearers were Raymond Drotts, Don Dyrdal, Leslie Kulseth, Earl Melvie, Ivan Melvie, Lloyd Melvie, Glen Nelson, Alvin Olson, Wayne Peters, Glen Regan, John Roseland and LeRoy Sustad. Burial was in Bethlehem Cemetery in New Solum township of Marshall county. The Green Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Ernest Theodore Melvie was born on January 17, 1909 in New Solum township of Marshall county, the son of Nels T. and Elizabeth (Loge) Melvie. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended school at Edgewood rural school.
When he was 17 years old he moved to Duluth where he was employed. He also worked in the copper mines in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In 1934 Ernest returned to the area and purchased a farm in Viking township.
On December 29, 1939 he was united in marriage to Alma O. Rust at her parents home in Norden township. The couple resided in Viking township where Ernest farmed, did custom work, started a construction company and hauled mail for 11 years. He retired in 1987.
Ernest is survived by his wife, Alma of Viking; four daughters, Marilyn Wahl of Greenbush, Carolyn (Louis) Hugg of Andover, Orlette (Al) Gjerde of Thief River Falls, and Darleen (Wilbur) Bogue of Hackensack; two sons, Ernest O. (Theresa) Melvie and Erwin "Erv" (Viola) Melvie, both of Viking; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one great-grandson, Jared Nelson; five brothers, Toby in infancy, Toby, Martin, John and Eli; and four sisters, Anna Kelly, Bertina Regan, Gina Nelson and Alma Melvie.