Lenore M. Melgard

Lenore M. Melgard, 83, of Cottage Grove, Minnesota and formerly of Westby, died Wednesday August 6, 2014 at her home. She was born November 9, 1930 in Westby to Alvin and Ella (Jothen) Anderson. She married Vernon Melgard on November 8, 1951 in Red Wing, Minnesota. The couple lived most of their married life in St. Paul, Minnesota. Lenore worked for several years in housekeeping at Parkway Manor in St. Paul before health issues led her to retire in 1973. She was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in St. Paul. Lenore was an excellent musician and as a child could play the organ and guitar by ear. She also sang in the church choir and sang solos for many funerals. She loved collecting and had an extensive doll collection. Lenore was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Survivors include her husband of almost 63 years, Vernon; 2 sons Steve (Janice) of St. Paul, MN and Michael (Pat Gillen) of Scandia, MN; 5 grandchildren, Jennifer (Jeff) Bloedorn, Karen Melgard, Tracy (Scott) Steele, Kari and Amy Conroy; 12 great grandchildren Emma, Luke, Lilly, Ardun, Mason, Aliana, Blake, Mya, Mariah, Jaycee, Jaida and Gabriella; 2 brothers Hilmer (Hazel) and Arnold (Katherine) Anderson both of Westby; 3 sisters-in-law Cleo Yttre, Yvonne Hale and Joan Anderson and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; 5 brothers, Raymond, Howard, Alton and LeRoy and Phillip in infancy; 1 sister Esther Tryggestad; a brother-in-law LaVerne Tryggestad and 2 sisters-in-law Christine and Mildred Anderson.