Marjorie Carolyn Melander

Marjorie Carolyn Melander, age 93, of Roseville, passed away September 11, 2021. Preceded in death by her husband, Donald Allen Melander, parents Ernest and Elsie Norstrom, brother Robert Norstrom. Survived by children Donald (Sherry) Melander, Larry (Randee) Melander, Nancy (Wayne) Eller, Karen (Dan) Iverson, and David (Adri) Melander; 16 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at Central Baptist Church, 420 N. Roy Street, St. Paul, MN. Visitation at 10:00 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m. Marge was born July 2, 1928, in Crookston, Minnesota. She was welcomed by her parents and her brother Robert. Both she and her brother Bob set records at the time for being the largest babies born at that hospital weighing over 10 pounds each. At the time Ernest was teaching chemistry at Crookston High School. Ernest and Elsie moved the family to St. Paul when Marge was about 2 years old. Ernest continued to teach chemistry at Bethel Academy and later Bethel Junior College. Marge started going to Central Baptist Church in 1932. She was baptized and became a member in 1937 and continued as a member there until her death, for a total of 84 years. The family was very active in the church. Both of Marge's parents taught adult classes. When Marge was a junior in high school she too, became a Sunday School teacher, teaching third grade. She taught Sunday School faithfully for over 50 years! After high school, Marge attended Bethel College and then got her bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Minnesota. She became a third and fourth /grade teacher at Saint Anthony Park Elementary School and taught there for five years. She taught both Don Jr and Larry, and that is how she met her future husband, their father, Don Sr. They started "dating" soon after, but she said that as Don was a single father with three small children, they did not get much time alone together! They married on June 18, 1955. When Don passed away in 2016, they had been married for over 61 years. Starting a marriage and becoming a mom to three children must have been a challenge. Then to top it off, Karen was born in 1956 and David a year later in 1957. Now Marge was a stay-at-home mother to five children for several years. After the kids were older, she returned to work to help pay for college tuition. She was a pre-school teacher at Central Baptist Church for many years. She later returned to work in the St. Paul Public School District as an educational assistant. Marge was a great cook and baker. The family joke was, "Marge has the best buns!" But she was most known as a seamstress. She sewed clothes for the kids and herself, then later for the grandchildren. She loved to make Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls and other stuffed animals. Quilting was also a favorite activity, and she has made quilts for almost everyone in the family. Each of the great-grandchildren received a handmade baby quilt as well. Marge's other favorite pastime was reading. Family was always a high priority. She gave generously of her time and talents to care for the kids and grandchildren. She chose these words of advice to her grandchildren: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6) Marge requested that memorials go to the Central Baptist Church Foundation, or to the Gideons International, where she and Don volunteered together for many years.

Tributes

Marjorie Carolyn Melander

July 2, 1928 - September 11, 2021

Tributes

Marjorie Carolyn Melander

July 2, 1928 - September 11, 2021

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