April 15, 2015

Dennis Melland

Dennis Melland, 66, of Hazen, N.D., died peacefully at home with his loving wife by his side on April 11th, 2015. Dennis was born on December 17, 1948, at Dawson County Hospital in Glendive, Mont., to Clarence and Alma (Olson) Melland. In January of 1948, he moved with his parents and older brother, Curt, to Alexander, where he was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. He became active in sports, band, and chorus, and graduated from Alexander high school. Dennis and Curt were constant companions while growing up and have the stories to prove it. Down the road, they were given a little sister, Georgia, (Petunia to their dad, Clarence), and brothers, John, Gary and Tim (the brothers were later labeled the Onion Patch by their father). Growing up in Alexander, the Melland kids enjoyed climbing buttes, fishing for bullheads in local dams and stock ponds, exploring abandoned buildings, and making every day an adventure.
After high school, Dennis attended NDSU where he graduated with a BSCE degree in 1970. He remained a dedicated Bison fan and supporter throughout the rest of his life. After graduation from NDSU, Dennis accepted a job in Minneapolis, which is where he met and married the love of his life, Charlotte Krath in 1971.
Dennis and Char later moved to Colorado, in 1974, where he worked as a construction inspector for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. While in Colorado, Dennis and Char welcomed two beautiful kids: David and Jessica. In 1978, the family of four packed up and moved to Hazen, N.D., so that Dennis could work as a field engineer for Basin Electric during construction and start up of the Antelope Valley Station (AVS) north of Beulah, N.D. During this time, they welcomed their third child, Lisa, and marked their family complete. Dennis then moved to Glenharold Mine, as mine engineer, from 1986 to 1988. However, he found his career home at AVS as maintenance engineer in 1988 and until he retired in 2010.
During his retirement, Dennis enjoyed traveling to different locations with Char, and playing as many golf courses as they could take in. Dennis was dedicated in church attendance throughout his life. He was active in Bible studies and loved singing in the church choirs. He served as Sunday school teacher for many years and was active on church council and numerous committees. Dennis believed God’s will is perfect and trusted his life was in God’s hand, whether he understood or not.
Dennis leaves behind his wife Char of Hazen, the best wife and caregiver anyone could ever ask for, three children, David (Jenn) Melland of Bothell, Wash., Jessica (Mike) Haynes of Easton, Mass., and Lisa (Dan) Konsti of Oakdale, Minn.; grandchildren, Jack and Dakota Haynes, and Anna and Maya Konsti; his mother, Alma Melland of Alexander, N.D.; one aunt, Katherine Paschke of Billings, Mont.; and many nephews, nieces and cousins.
Dennis is preceded in death by his grandparents, and his father, Clarence.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, to provide a monetary donation to either St Jude’s Children Hospital and/or Peace Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund.
Services will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2015, at 10 a.m. CDT, at Peace Lutheran Church, in Hazen, with Pastor Wolff officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
Visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m. CDT, on Tuesday April 14, 2015, at the Barbot Funeral Home in Hazen.
Arrangements were conducted by Barbot Funeral Home of Beulah and Hazen.
 

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