Leonard O. Melland

Leonard O. Melland, 89 of Devils Lake, ND formerly of Loma, ND died on Saturday, July 1, 2006 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake due to complications of heart disease. Funeral Services for Leonard will be held on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Harold Ovre will officiate. Graveside Services will be held at the Loma Cemetery on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Leonard will be his grandsons, Darrell Larson, Dale Larson, Kent Smith, Darren Melland, Lonnie Melland and Keith Melland. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Leonard’s granddaughters, Tamara Rysavy, Melissa Biby and Kim Crump. Leonard O. Melland was born in Loma, ND on September 2, 1916, the son of Edward and Eva (Peterson) Melland. He was raised and educated in the Loma area, attending the Billings Township School. Leonard was united in marriage to Jennie Wilhelmi on June 30, 1938. They established their home at rural Loma where they lived, worked and raised their family. Leonard had a special gift as a self-made mechanic and spent most of his life repairing everything and anything for his needs and for neighbors far and wide. In addition to his work as a mechanic, for a time he managed a farm for the Union Central Insurance Company. He later took over operation of his Dad’s farm and farmed for many years. In the early 1970’s he worked for United Telephone at rural Langdon and also was on the road construction crew for the building of Highway 1. In 1979, Leonard retired and they lived for a time in Edmore and Langdon and eventually made their home in Devils Lake. Leonard was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Loma until it closed. Leonard dedicated his life to caring for his wife and family and to the soil entrusted to his care. He will be forever in the hearts of all who knew him. Leonard is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jennie of Devils Lake Daughters: Glenna Larson and her husband, Duane of Starkweather, ND Angela Blackaby of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Son: Lynn Melland and his wife, Jane of Ham Lake, Minnesota Nine Grandchildren Eighteen Great Grandchildren Sister: Irene Bjornson of Park River, ND Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Eva Melland.