Marian M. Melcher

Marian M. Melcher, 84, Graceville, MN, died Wednesday, October 21, 2009, at the Holy Trinity Hospital in Graceville.         Memorial services were Monday, October 26, at 10:30 a.m. at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville with Father David Breu officiating.  Music was provided by organist Deb Farwell and vocalists Chris Weick, Sandi Bauer, and Donna Arens.         Burial was in the Graceville Consolidated Cemetery, Graceville.  Honorary urn bearers were her grandchildren, Richard Melcher, Michele Stockham, Jason Melcher, Teresa Melcher Nelson, Joseph Melcher, Jessica Melcher, Jason Lundgren, Peter Lundgren, Stacy Marts, Travis Fridgen, Cory Fridgen, Leah Fridgen Kuss, Katie Fridgen, Casey Menge, Taylor Poss, Landon Poss, and Noah Poss.         Visitation was Sunday from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville.         Marian Margaret was born March 23, 1925, at Trosky, MN, to John and Emma (LaFranze) Graphenteen.  Marian grew up and attended school in the Pipestone, MN, area.  Marian's dad worked for Leonard's dad and so the story began.  On February 11, 1943, Marian married Leonard Melcher at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Pipestone.  They lived in the Trosky area until moving to Graceville in March 1952.  Marian was employed at the Laske Grocery Store in Graceville and the Good Samaritan Center in Clinton, MN.  She retired in 1983.         Marian and Leonard enjoyed dancing the polka and two-step at the Hollyhock Ballroom in Hatfield, MN.  They also took frequent snowmobile trips to the Park Rapids area with friends.  Marian and Leonard bowled in Graceville for several years, enjoyed playing pinochle and socializing with friends.  Crafts, playing cards, her "word finds" and watching the Minnesota Twins were her favorite pastimes.  Her kids and grandkids were a big part of her life; her face would light up when they would visit.         Survivors include her husband, Leonard of Graceville; children Tom (Sue) Melcher of Clinton, Dale (Joyce) Melcher of Isanti, MN, Gary (Helen) Melcher of Madison, SD, Bob (Mary) Melcher of Coon Rapids, MN, Carla (John) Bigalke of Wheaton, MN, Allan Melcher of Rosholt, and Phyllis (Sheldon) Poss of Fargo, ND; 18 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Florence Lopau of Lake Benton, MN.         Marian was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Kristi; a sister, Evelyn; and an infant sister, Mary.