Roland G. Melaas

Roland G. Melaas, 85, a resident of rural Elbow Lake, died Sunday, December 28, 2014, at the Broen Home in Fergus Falls.

Roland was born on March 30, 1929 in Stony Brook Township in Grant County, the only child of Glend and Eva (Vigen) Melaas. He was baptized and confirmed at Rock Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Elbow Lake. He grew up in Stony Brook Township and attended Elbow Lake School District #263 and graduated from Elbow Lake High School in 1947. In 1953 he enlisted in the United States Army and did his basic training in Ft. Riley, Kansas, transferring to Selfridge Airforce Base, serving in the Mechanic and Motorpool Division. He attended Driver Ordinance Automotive School in Atlanta, GA from May to August 1954. He was honorably discharged from the service in 1955.

On June 2, 1956, he married Marilyn Annette Johnson at Eagle Lake Lutheran Church, near Battle Lake, MN. The couple lived in Stony Brook Township, where Roland farmed and raised hogs and cattle with his dad for many years, before taking over the family farm.

He was a lifelong member of Rock Prairie Lutheran Church, Sons of Norway and the Eagles. He served on the Stony Brook Township Board for 35 years. Roland was a very patriotic man, who was proud of his service to his country and remained an active member of the Wendell American Legion Olson-Graminski Post 426.

He enjoyed fishing, bus tours and trips with the friends group, dancing, picnics with family and friends, having coffee with neighbors, fixing and repairing things and also loved the peace and quiet of his own backyard by Stony Brook Lake. He was especially proud of his Norwegian heritage and the fact that he was able to speak and read in Norwegian and also had the opportunity to travel to Norway twice.

Preceding him in death were his parents; and daughter, Pamela Sabby.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn of rural Elbow Lake; three children, Steven (Christine) Melaas of rural Fergus Falls, Barbara Melaas of Robinsdale, Kathryn (Steve Hvezda) Duvall of Lowry; grandchildren, Lisa (Dennis) Behl, Julie (Jeremy) Shook, Michael Sabby, Heidi Sabby, Amanda (Daran) Jacobson, Glenn Melaas, Gail (Kile Gudim) Melaas, Geoffery Melaas, Timothy Duvall, Jordan Duvall; great-grandchildren, Devin, Carson and Braiden Behl, Levi Sabby, Mataya Wells, Kolby, Emma and Kenley Jacobson, Holly, Griffan and Evan Bond and Cameron and Corbin Gudim; son-in-law, Larry (Dona) Sabby. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Friday, January 2, 2015 and at 6:30 p.m. time for reflection and stories at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.
Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 2 p.m. Saturday, January 3, 2015 at Rock Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Elbow Lake.
Clergy: Chaplain Ken Austin
Interment: Rock Prairie Lutheran Cemetery, rural Elbow Lake
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls