Melferd Oliver Dyrstad, 95, of International Falls, Minn., died Monday, July 30, 2012, at Good Samaritan Society-International Falls.
Melferd was born Dec. 16, 1916, in Glasgow, Mont. He grew up in Glenwood, Minn., and moved to Kabetogama, Minn., in 1944 and lived there since.
He married Alice Frederick on Oct. 25, 1938, in Frazee, Minn.
He was a pipefitter and welder.
Mel joined the Civilian Conservation Corps at the age of 15. He began apprentice welding for Minnesota Mining Company in the early 1940s. He joined the civilian welders who helped restore the bombed Pearl Harbor fleet.
He also was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and the local pipefitter’s union.
Mel and his wife, Alice owned and operated Dyrstad’s Retreat on Lake Kabetogama for 48 years.
Mel was a hardworking and excellent husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.
He was an avid fisherman, and always told his grandchildren he was “Boss of the Lake.”
He made the best pancake breakfasts, and enjoyed going to Sunday church.
He also loved duck, goose, and pheasant hunting, and berry picking.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Amanda Dyrstad; brothers, John, Oberlin, Gehard and Donald; and sisters, Alma McLean, Evelyn Domstrand and Opal Ramin.
Mel is survived by his wife of 73 years, Alice Dyrstad of International Falls; son, William (Mary) Dyrstad of Hampshire, Ill.; daughter, Beverly (Robert) Davison of Yakima, Wash.; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; brother, George (LaVerne) Dyrstad of Alexandria, Minn.; and sister, Laura Bodger of Anna Maria, Fla.
Memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at Kabetogama United Methodist Church, Kabetogama, Minn.
Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
