Anna Grace Melland

Anna Grace Melland

Anna Grace Melland, age 99, lifelong resident of Edmore, ND, greeted her Savior on September 7, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Center of Park River, ND, where she has resided since November 1, 2011.

Anna Grace Stevens was born January 8, 1918 near Edmore in Triumph Township, Ramsey County, ND. She was one of four children born to Andrew Sr. and Gunhild "Nellie" Kittelson Stevens. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from Triumph Township School prior to graduating from Edmore High School in 1937.

As a young woman, she worked in cook cars for neighbors during harvest. Anna Grace and Edwin B. Melland were united in marriage November 24, 1937 in the Edmore Concordia Lutheran Parsonage by Rev. M.A. Braaten. The couple made their home and farmed one-quarter mile east of Edmore where they raised their three children. In 1957, they purchased the Braund house in Edmore and moved into the city. Edwin Melland died as the result of a two-vehicle collision on September 20, 1963.

After Edwin's death, Anna Grace managed the farm with her sons and worked as a dry-goods clerk in the Edmore Johnson Store for several years. She was a lifelong member of Concordia Lutheran Church and active in WELCA until she reached her 90's. She was a charter member of the Edmore Senior Citizen's Club and the Edmore Curling Club. She was well-known in curling circles for over 25 years. She was a life member of the Edmore Historical Society and museum and held a director's position for over 20 years.

In her early sixties she began to paint pictures using oil paint. In 1978, she took a rosemaling class and started a long rosemaling career. She painted tables, plates, churns, and many chests. She donated her talent and rosemaled three large hope chests to be given away as fundraisers for the curling club, historical society and the Edmore centennial committee. She had a passion for shopping and traveling. She toured most of the United States from east to west and visited France, Switzerland, Germany, England and Scotland.

Loving family members who survive include two sons, Rodney (Gail) Melland, Edmore, ND and Dennis (Jacquelyn) Melland, Park River, ND, daughter Frances (John) Anderson, Lakeville, MN; brother Glenn Stevens, Grand Forks, ND; five grandchildren: Natalie Melland, Mark Melland, Christopher Anderson, Steven Anderson and Kelly Anderson; two step-grandchildren Kimberly Studsrud and Jason (Patty) Studsrud; two great grandchildren: Destiny Melland and Issac Melland, and five step-great grandchildren: Evan Mahone, Ethan White, Jade White, Keaton Studsrud and Madisyn Studsrud. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Dolores Nyberg and husband Oscar, brother Andrew Stevens Jr. and wife Alice, sister-in-law Shirley Ridgeway Stevens, and step-grandchild Tamra Mahone.

Funeral services will be Monday, September 11, 2017 at 10:30 A.M. at the Concordia Lutheran Church of Edmore. Visitation will be Sunday from 1-3 with a prayer service at 3:00 P.M. at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River. Interment will be at the Edmore Community Cemetery.

An online guestbook is available at: www.tollefsonfuneralhome.com .

The Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River is in charge of the arrangements.