Melvin John Trudel

Melvin J. Trudel, 71 of Devils Lake formerly of Cando, ND died on Wednesday morning, August 8, 2007 at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 11, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Fr. Robert Pecotte as celebrant. Graveside Services will be held at the Pembina Cemetery on Saturday, August 11, 2007 at 4:30 p.m. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday, August 10, 2007 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers for Mel will be Alex Trudel, Calvin Trudel, Nathan Devroy, Steve Torpy, Dave Slama and Ed Krumweide. Music will be provided by Janet Sanders, Roger Sanders and JoDee Lagein. Reading the Scriptures will be Todd and Bob Trudel Gift Bearers will be Lauren, Allie, Rachael and McKenzie Trudel and Melissa Devroy Melvin John Trudel was born in Drayton, North Dakota on May 1, 1936, the son of John C. and Cecelia M. (Martineau) Trudel. He was educated at the Trudel Country School, rural Pembina and graduated from Pembina High School in 1954, then attended UND for two years. He moved to Seattle and worked for Boeing for a short time before returning to the Pembina area. Mel married Grace Johanneck on October 1, 1957 at Red Lake Falls, MN. They established their home on the farm in Pembina until 1963 when they moved to Calvin, ND and Mel owned and operated the Standard Oil Bulk and Service Station. While living in Calvin he also did custom spraying. In 1973 he moved to Cando and operated the Cando Amoco Station and continued custom spraying. Mel was the ultimate entrepreneur, and started Trudel Trucking, owned and operated the Durum House in Cando, and for a side line, sold Arctic Cat snowmobiles, lawn mowers, and popcorn machines to name just a few. In the late 1980’s, he moved to Devils Lake but continued the operation of his business interest in Cando. Mel never retired and continued very active, especially related to his farming interests by continuing to do custom spraying in North Dakota, Mississippi and Louisiana and operating Trudel Trucking for many years. Mel was an avid outdoorsman and a fanatic sports fan. He loved to hunt and fish with family and friends. In his younger years, he enjoyed coaching his sons’ baseball teams. He shared his passion for sports with his mother and they would share their thoughts and comments about golf, Tiger Woods, Minnesota Twins and the Duke Blue Devils over the phone or a cup of coffee. Mel truly treasured his family and friends and the time he was able to spend with them. The sparkle in Mel’s eyes and that gentle smile will never be forgotten and will be held forever in our memories. Mel is survived by his daughter, Linda Devroy and her husband, Bill of St. Paul, Minnesota Sons: Bob Trudel and his wife, Jennifer of Boise, Idaho Rick Trudel and his wife, DaRinda of Glyndon, Minnesota Todd Trudel and his wife, Nancy of Granite Falls, Minnesota Grandchildren: Nathan and Melissa Devroy Alex, Calvin, and McKenzie Trudel Lauren, Allie, and Rachael Trudel Jorde and Julieann Trudel Mother: Cecelia Trudel of Devils Lake Sister: Doreen Gibbons and her husband, Dave also of Devils Lake Nephew and Niece: Michael Adams and Cheryl Adams Mother of their children: Grace Abrahamson of Battle Lake, Minnesota He was preceded in death by his father.