Manfred History & Preservation, Inc.
Gene and Betty Melby
Husband's Full Name: Gene Nordtorp Melby
Husband's Place of Birth: Manfred, North Dakota
Husband's Father's Name: Oscar J. Melby
Husband's Mother's Name: Bertha Nordtorp Melby
Husband's Siblings' Names: Cora Turner, Roy, Ruth Hovey, Muriel Boyum
Orlien, Kenneth, Ethel Bolyard
Wife's Full Name: Betty Lou Rodacker Melby
Wife's Place of Birth: Cathay, North Dakota
Wife's Father's Name: Thomas Rodacker
Wife's Mother's Name: Minnie Pepple Rodacker
Wife's Siblings' Names: Margaret Watson, Roy
Children's Names: Marsha, Brian, Bruce, Michael,
Arnie, Bergit Albrecht
Betty Melby, 89, Harvey, formerly of rural Manfred, passed away Friday, June 8, 2018 at the St. Aloisius Nursing Home in Harvey.
Betty Lou Rodacker, daughter of Tom and Minnie (Pepple) Rodacker, was born August 26, 1928 at rural Fessenden where she was raised and attended rural school. She graduated from Fessenden High School in 1946 and, soon after, enrolled in a Fargo Hairdressing School. Upon completing the course, she returned to Fessenden and began working at Ella’s Beauty Shop. She also worked at a Minot beauty shop for a short time.
On September 19, 1948, Betty was united in marriage to Gene Melby at the Germantown Baptist Church of rural Cathay. They made their home on the Rodacker farm east of Fessenden where Betty cared for her father for several years. They then moved to the Melby farm southwest of Manfred where they farmed until 1982. In addition to helping with the farming operation, Betty worked for Wells County Social Services as an In-Home Care Specialist for 20 years.
She was a member of the Vang Lutheran Church, the Ladies Aid, and served as church choir director for many years.
Betty always had an open door and a pot of coffee ready for her family and friends.
She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Gene; her children, Marsha Melby of Minot, Bruce Melby of Manfred, Michael Melby of Minot, Arnie (Norma) Melby of San Diego, CA and Bergit (Mike) Albrecht of Apex, NC; 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her infant son, Brian; brother, Roy; and sister, Margaret.
Funeral: Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at 11:00 A. M. at the Vang Lutheran Church in Manfred.
Burial: Vang Lutheran Cemetery
Obituary – Betty Melby
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