Franklin “Frank” Melby – Underwood

Franklin “Frank” T. Melby, 83, a resident of rural Underwood, died Saturday, August 25, 2018 at Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls.
  Visitation was 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at the funeral home with a prayer service at 6:30 and resumed one hour prior to the service at the church.
Services were 2 p.m. Thursday, August 30, 2018 at Tordenskjold Lutheran Church in rural Underwood with Rev. Mark Johnson and Pastor Dan Hurner officiating. Interment was in Tordenskjold Cemetery.
Frank was born January 30, 1935 in rural Ashby to George and Marie (Nelson) Melby.  He attended school at Ashby, graduating in 1953.
April 14, 1957 Frank and Loraine Swenson were married at Grue Lutheran Church near Ashby. They moved to Minneapolis where Frank worked for Bachman’s Nursery, where he got his love for plants and trees. He then worked for George F. Cook Construction Company as a carpenter and later became Construction Superintendent, retiring in 1995.
  Frank and Loraine moved to rural Underwood in 1992.  He was a member of Tordenskjold Church, Lake Region Pioneer Thresherman’s Club (where his father was one of the founders), Uninvited Car Club and Carpenters and Joiners Union.
  Frank had a strong faith and love of the Lord. He loved his wife and family, restoring Ford tractors and his dad’s Ford truck “George”, his pets, past and presently, his little Lena. He also had a love of jelly beans, where his tin was usually running low.
  Preceding him in death were his parents, George and Marie Melby; sister, Vivian LaFavor; brothers-in-law, Bob LaFavor, Russ Matchinsky and Dale Akerman.
  Frank is survived by his wife, Loraine; children,  Susan (Jerry) Hanstad of Dalton, Janice (Curt) Ebner of Elk River, Larry Melby of Underwood; grandchildren, Amanda (Ryan) Keyser of Elk River, Dustin Hanstad of Dalton, Danny (Miranda) Ebner of Minneapolis and Dorie (Dan) Martinson of Ashby; great-grandchildren, Hunter, Gunner and Rylie Hanstad, Colton and baby to be born in January Martinson, and Cecilia Ebner; his siblings, Kathy Akerman, Glen (Arlene) Melby, Ruthie Matchinsky and Paul (Margie) Melby; many nieces and nephews.
  Memorials are preferred to Tordenskjold Church, Gid-eons International, Lake Re-gion Threshermans’s Association or donor’s choice.
Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com.