Melba Melgaard, 94, formerly of Columbus, ND, more recently of Williston, ND, passed away at the Bethel Lutheran Nursing Home, surrounded by her family on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Her funeral arrangements are pending with Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Williston.

Melba Lorraine (Watterud) Melgaard was born December 7, 1922, on the family farm South of Larson, ND in Burke County. She was the 10th child of 13 born to Ole I. and Tilda (Dahl) Watterud. On the March 15, 2017, she quietly entered her heavenly home at the age of 94, with her husband of 61 years, Leonard, by her side. At the time of her death, she was residing at Bethel Lutheran Home, in Williston ND. A woman of faith, she was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church in rural Columbus, where she will also be laid to rest. Melba completed 8 grades at the Sorlie School, south of Columbus ND, and finished her high school days in Columbus.

As a young woman out of high school, Melba moved to Portland OR. There she met and married Herbert Karstetter. Two children were born of this marriage, Randy and Gaylen. After her divorce from Herbert, Melba moved back to Larson, ND. On December 9th, 1955 she married her life-long, dancing and whist partner, Leonard Melgaard. Through this union, Melba was blessed with three more children,; Michelle, David, and Janelle.

Melba lived her life simply, with grace and kindness. Never wanting to bother anyone, she was a selfless caregiver to many. Melba loved to share everything she had, and no one ever stopped by Melba’s without getting fed. She was forever sharing meals with whomever was there (and there always seemed to be someone)--the neighbor kids, her children’s friends and cousins, hired hands, neighborhood friends and family--any and all were welcome at Melba’s kitchen table. Her five children knew growing up that their friends were always welcome at the Melgaard home. In fact, Melba once got a call from the Columbus High School secretary to let her know that there were, in fact, 28 students who listed Melba and Leonard’s house as their “home away from home” on snow days. Melba didn’t bat an eye.

Melba was renowned for her homemade donuts and weak coffee; so much so that in her later years, her great-grandchildren granted her the moniker, “Grandma Donut.” Her first generation grandchildren all agree that days and nights spent in Columbus with Grandma and Grandpa Melgaard make up the majority of all of their favorite childhood memories.

Melba was a wonderful homemaker, mother, and wife. She was a skilled seamstress and an excellent cook; a crossword fanatic; a scrabble player that couldn’t be beat. Along with being a homemaker, mother, and wife, she also did the bookwork for her and Leonard’s business, Melgaard Sand and Gravel, until their retirement in 1992. She was a delight to watch waltzing and two stepping with Leonard over the years, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were so very blessed to receive all of her beautiful hand-made gifts and learn from “Gramma” how to crochet, play cards, and love lefse and lutefisk. Melba was a proud Norweigan American, through and through, and we will all miss hearing her sing, laugh, and tell stories in her native tongue.

In 2001, Melba and Leonard relocated to Williston ND where they made their home until Melba entered Bethel Lutheran Home in 2013. The staff at Bethel became like family to Melba. They treated her with such love and kindness. Melba’s family would like to wish God’s blessings upon the people who cared for our wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and grandmother with such incredible compassion in her final years.

Melba is survived by her husband, Leonard Melgaard, of Williston. Also surviving are her children Randy Karstetter (Sherrie) of Bismarck, Gaylen Karstetter (Gurine) of Yuma Az, son-in law Irving Wittmayer of Westby MT, David Melgaard (Debra) Detroit Lakes MN, and Janelle McMillian of Rio Linda CA; a sister Jane (Marvin) Hinrickson of Marysville WA; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; along with many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

Melba was preceded in death by her daughter Michelle Wittmayer. She was also preceded in death by her parents Thilda and Ole Watterud; Siblings and spouses (in order of birth), Merton (Harriet) Watterud, Sylvia (Morris) Gillund; Eunice (Jack) JaCroix, Raymond (Mary) Watterud, Mildred (Lawrence) Gillund, Helen (Ed) Pappenfus, James (Mary) Watterud, Donald (Delores) Watterud, Claire (Harold) Burau, Myron (Gerdius) Watterud, and Dale (Thelma) Watterud.