Melvin Theron Velde was born in Cottonwood, Minnesota, to Ole and Sarah (Anderson) Velde on September 21, 1899. He grew up on the family farm in Normania Township, Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota, where he also attended rural school. Melvin attended the Morris Agriculture School and later farmed for many years. Melvin moved to Clarkfield, Minnesota, and developed the trailer court which is still in operation. Melvin drove school bus for many years. Melvin was married to Hilda Winson Oakland in 1930. To this marriage two children were born, Linnea Gabriel and a son Myron, who died at the age of 17. In 1959 he was married to Florence White. Melvin was a member of the Clarkfield Lutheran Church. On Thursday, December 28, 1989, Melvin passed away at the Chippewa County Montevideo Hospital at the age of 90. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister; one son; his first wife, Hilda in 1958, and his second wife, Florence in 1985. Melvin is survived by two daughters, Linnea Gabriel of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Berniece Oakland of Montevideo, Minnesota; two brothers, Kenneth of Montevideo, Minnesota, and Roy of Mesa, Arizona; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and five stepchildren, Janice, Gretchen, Sally, David and Jeremiah. Blessed be his memory. Funeral Service: Friday, December 29, 1989, 2:00 p.m., Clarkfield Lutheran Church, Clarkfield, Minnesota Officiating: Pastor Gordon A. Trelstad Organist: Karen Donner Soloist: Ross Riecke Congregational Hymns: "I Know Of A Sleep In Jesus Name" "Silent Night" Casket Bearers: Bruce Aasen, John Velde Craig Cherland, DeVon Vien Shawn Cherland, Dick Vien Final Resting Place: Spring Creek Lutheran Cemetery, Normania Township, Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota