Mabel Melby

Mabel Melby, 102, formerly of Dalton, died peacefully on Sunday, November 14, 2010, at the Broen Memorial Nursing Home in Fergus Falls. Dora Mabel was born on March 9, 1908 in rural Dalton to John O. and Elsie (Gjerde) Dahlager.   She was baptized on April 12, 1908 and confirmed on October 9, 1921 at Sarpsborg Lutheran Church. She attended school at District #7.    At the age of 17, she worked at a radio factory in Minneapolis.   She later worked for the Webber family in Fergus Falls, and prior to her marriage, she was employed at the River Inn in Fergus Falls. Later, she and her husband Ralph owned and operated the Dalton Supply Store. On October 19, 1930, Mabel and Ralph J. Melby were married at Sarpsborg Lutheran Church. They lived in the Dalton area all of their married life.   Mabel and Ralph had nine children. In 1998, Mabel moved to the Alcott Manor in Fergus Falls. She resided there until the spring of 2009, when she entered the nursing home. Mabel was a faithful member of Zion-Sarpsborg Free Lutheran Church in Dalton. Over the years, she served as Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, and was a member of the Ladies Aid, Women's Missionary Federation and sewing circle.  She was a charter member of the Dalton Lady Bugs garden club and a charter member of the Lake Region Pioneer Threshermen's Auxiliary.   In 1985, she was crowned the first Auxiliary Pioneer Queen at the Threshermen's Show.    From its beginning in 1954, Mabel cooked and served meals at the Threshermen's Show with the Zion and Kvam Ladies Aids. Mabel loved watching and feeding the birds. She loved her home and enjoyed taking care of her many beautiful flowers.   She was a good cook, and her home-made buns, cookies and apple pies were a favorite among the grandchildren.   Her children and grandchildren loved to hear her tell stories of growing up in the days before modern conveniences. Raised by Christian parents, Mabel developed a relationship with Christ at an early age and lived her life to glorify God.  She will be remembered for her gratefulness, finding the best in everything. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and she enjoyed spending time with her family.  Preceding her in death besides her parents were her husband, Ralph, who died on November 17, 1991; brothers, Christopher and Orion Dahlager; her sisters, Palma Synstelien, Selma Christopherson, and Alice Torgerson; daughter-in-law, Georgia Melby; sons-in-law, Roland Renstrom, and Richard Rorvig; grandson, Ronald Rorvig; and two granddaughters who died in infancy. She is survived by her nine children: Daughters, Evelyn Renstrom of Elbow Lake, Kathleen Rorvig of Rothsay, Margaret (Allen) Hanson of Fergus Falls, Iolene (John) Halvorson of Dalton, and Laurel (Larry) Jensen of Dalton; Sons, Ernest (Mary Jane) of St. Paul, Luther (Deloris) of Pelican Rapids, David (Patty) of North Branch, MN and James (Rhonda) of Minnetonka; her sister, Esther Dahlager, and her sister-in-law, Ruth Dahlager, both of Fergus Falls.    She is also survived by 30 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren as well as many nephews and nieces. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with a 6:30 prayer service and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 1 p.m. Thursday, November 18, 2010 at Zion-Sarpsborg Free Lutheran Church, Dalton Clergy: Pastors Mark Johnson and Brett Boe Interment: Dalton Cemetery in Dalton    Arrangements: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, MN