Hazel E.V. Melby, 93, Little Falls formerly of Rice

December 13, 1921 - October 17, 2015

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 21, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Dixville for Hazel Melby, age 93, who passed away Saturday at the Little Falls Care Center. Rev. David Franzmeier will officiate. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Sauk Rapids and one hour prior to the services on Wednesday at the Church.

Hazel was born December 13, 1921 in Credit River Township, Scott County, Minnesota to George and Otillia (Dorn) Busse. She married George Melby on October 12, 1946 in Dakota County. Hazel had lived most of her married life in rural Rice. Besides working side by side in the field and barn with George and the boys, she made great meals and baked wonderful breads and other treats – and canned about everything. Evening activities for Hazel and George often included playing card games, especially 500, with neighbors, always followed by “lunch”. Songs such as How Great Thou Art and Rock of Ages wafted from the milk house while she cleaned the milking machines. She taught herself the chords on the piano and often after breakfast would play and sing. She enjoyed her peonies and moss roses; her window sills overflowed with other plantings. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Dixville where she was a member of the Ladies Aid. She was a member of the Benton County Homemakers Club. She will be dearly missed.

Hazel is survived by her sons and daughter; Darrell (Sharen) Melby of Royalton, Janis Kirsch of Fargo, ND, and Glenn Melby of Foley; sister, Shirley Nelson of St. Paul; seven grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George; brothers and sisters, Kenneth, Elmer and Delbert Busse, Pearl Law, Jeanette Busse and Phyllis Nelson.