Oscar Melbostad, 93, died at the Clarkfield Care Center, Clarkfield, Minnesota, on Wednesday, January 21, 1987. Services were held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 24, 1987, at Clarkfield Lutheran Church, with Pastor Gordon Trelstad officiating. Organist was Karen Donner. Soloist was Belinda Field. Congregational Hymns were "Beautiful Savior" and "What a Friend We Have In Jesus." Casket Bearers were Robert M. Hill, Geraldina Hill, Carolyn Aldridge, Douglas Aldridge, Steven Melbostad, Kari Melbostad and Jon Melbostad. Honorary Casket Bearers were Oscar Barkeim, Charles Flett, Russell Johnson, Art Lee, Everett Loomis and Ray Miller. Final Resting Place is the Clarkfield Lutheran Cemetery, Clarkfield, Minnesota, with Military Rites by the American Legion Post #169, Clarkfield, Minnesota. He was born on a farm southwest of Clarkfield on April 14, 1893, to Amund and Mathilda (Hanserud) Melbostad. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. On September 12, 1922, he married Ida Lindquist. As a young boy he worked on the farm. Later he became interested in the Livery Stable business and worked for the Dray Line. He purchased the City Dray Line which he operated for over 50 years. He was drafted into WWI and served in the U.S. Army in France. He was a life-long member of Clarkfield Lutheran Church, was a member of the American Legion and the Civic and Commerce Association. He is survived by his daughter, Audrey M. Hill and son-in-law, Robert J. Hill of Warren, Michigan; his son, Arvid and daughter-in-law Joanne of Clarkfield; his grandchildren, Robert M. Hill, Bay City, Michigan, Carolyn Aldridge, Kansas City, Missouri, Steven, Kari and Jon Melbostad of Clarkfield. Preceding him in death were his wife, Ida, his parents, and his brother, Elmer. Melbostad made the 'Dray Line' a valuable Clarkfield Business - By Byron Higgin Oscar Melbostad, the man who made the "Dray Line" famous in Clarkfield died on Wednesday, January 21 at the Clarkfield Care Center. He was 93. The funeral for Melbostad was held on Saturday. In the 1920's, Oscar Melbostad and Arden Lynne purchased what was called, "The Dray Line." They continued the service their fathers had started. Back in those years all commodities came into Clarkfield by rail. Everything was hauled by horse-driven wagon to the local merchants. Most of the time the "Dray Line" did the hauling. Among items hauled were coal, lumber, shingles, cement, furniture, groceries, meats and even the U.S. Mail and currency for the local banks. Most of the time they used three teams of horses. They were all housed on Melbostad's property. The Dray Line never had a regular office and the bookkeeping was done at a desk in Oscar's home. In 1930, the two dissolved the partnership and Melbostad continued alone. After the horses left the scene, a truck took their place on the Dray Line. It was only after 50 years of service that Melbostad retired from the Dray Line. Oscar Melbostad grew up around the Livery Stable. He was born in 1893 to Amund and Mathilda Melbostad on a farm southwest of Clarkfield. His brother was a farmer but Oscar was drawn by the livery stable in town and spent a lot of time there. The Livery Stable was located at the current site of the Clarkfield Bakery. He was drafted into World War I and served his country in France. Oscar Melbostad was part of the deep history that belongs to Clarkfield. He helped mold the community and make it what it is today. Back in those days the hard-working men of Clarkfield put in long hours, as many do today. Melbostad was no stranger to work, going 12 hours a day on the Dray Line. We need to remember folks like Oscar Melbostad. They are what made Clarkfield. We owe them a lot. Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota