Wilma Ruth Melstad Obituary (1934 - 2013)

Wilma Ruth Melstad, 78, Bismarck, North Dakota, passed away Thursday, January 24, 2013, at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Bismarck. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, January 29, 2013, at First Lutheran Church, Bismarck with Rev. Allen Wagner officiating. Visitation is scheduled for 5-7:00 PM, Monday, January 28th with a Prayer Service beginning at 7:00 PM, at DaWise-Perry Funeral Services, Mandan. Visitation continues one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Wilma was born March 19, 1934, at Lake Preston, South Dakota, to Wilbur and Ruth (Johnson) Kalvig. She graduated from Lake Preston High School in 1952. During high school, she was editor of the school newspaper, participated in band, drama, and was a majorette. She went on to earn an Associates of Arts Degree from Bismarck Junior College. On August 28, 1954, she married Harvey Melstad in Lake Preston, South Dakota. Wilma was a choir director, piano teacher, was active in the Sons of Norway, and very active at First Lutheran Church. She worked at the North Dakota Legislature, and helped with elections. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, hardanger, and quilting. She was an accomplished seamstress and made her daughter's wedding dresses and many prayer shawls. Wilma loved traveling with her husband. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Harvey; four daughters, Stephanie (Steve) Olson, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Jeanine (Bruce) Senti, Grand Forks, Gretchen (Henry) Gertje, Olympia, Washington, and Eileen (Jeff) Holm, Minot; one brother, Dean (Doris) Kalvig, Spencer, Iowa; grandchildren, Kathryn (Matt) Nesheim, Janet (Raja) Banerjee, Jason (Jessica), David (Jodi), and William Senti, Hans, Eric, Kirsten, and Kelsey Gertje, Sarah, Zach, and Mark Holm; and one great-grandson, Isaiah Senti. Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Lynn, and great-grandchild, Claire.