Darlene Melander

Darlene Melander, age 83, of Gully, MN, passed away on Friday (August 24th) at Essentia Hospital in Fosston, MN. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday (August 31st) at Lund Lutheran Church in Gully with Dawn Hanson and the Rev. Michael Sletto officiating. Interment will be in Salem Lutheran Cemetery, rural Gully. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston and messages of condolence may be sent at carlinhoialmen.com.Darlene June Rouland was born on June 24, 1929 in Gully, Minnesota to parents Ole and Ethel (Sorenson) Rouland. She had five brothers and sisters, Duane, Robert, Estelle, Franklin and Rosalind.Darlene graduated from Fosston High School and trained in medical technology. She married Gene Melander and they lived and farmed south of Gully. She also worked medical technology in the Bagley/Clearbrook clinics and the Sather Clinic in Fosston. Darlene had five children, Jeffrey, Darla, Joni, Jayson, and Joel, all Fosston High School graduates. She was devoted to her family, local social, church and community living. Darlene loved gardening and had the gift of hospitality, always welcoming extended family to her home. She is sadly missed by her family but they are taking great comfort in knowing that she is at home now with her Heavenly Father planting flowers in His garden. May God bless our memories of her.The last years of her life were spent at the Good Samaritan Center in Clearbrook. Our family wishes to express our most sincere thanks to the Good Samaritan staff for the wonderful, loving, and tender care that was given to Darlene during her time as a resident. The care that you provided will always be remembered.Darlene is survived by her five children, Jeffrey of South Dakota, Darla of Minneapolis, Joni of Thief River Falls, Jayson of Bagley, and Joel of Shevlin; ten grandchildren and nine great grandchildren (the joys of her life); three brothers, Duane of Gully, Robert (Vivian) of Clearbrook, Franklin (Mary) of Crownsville, MD; two sisters, Estelle (Maurice) Bolgrean of Moorhead, MN, and Rosalind (Don) Pittaway of Plains, MT. Nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister-in-law, Arvilla Rouland (wife of Duane).Pallbearers will be Darlene's grandsons: Jerrod Melander, Jamie Melander, Kyle Melander, Aaron Melander, Nicolas Melander, Christopher Swanson, and Jordan Swanson.