Joy W. Melby

Joy W. Melby, age 82, of Hawley, MN died peacefully Thursday, October 27, 2022 at Sanford Care Center in Vermillion, SD.

Joy was born December 10, 1939 in Detroit Lakes, MN to Edward (Ira) and Wally (Heinichen)Peck.  She grew up in Hawley, MN and the Heinichen farm north of Hawley where she was given the nickname “Snookie” by her uncle Rudy Heinichen.

Joy graduated from Hawley High School in 1957 and furthered her education at Minnesota State University Moorhead and Valley City State University.  In 1959, she married Elvin T. Melby in Sisseton, SD and became a partner in the farming operation on the Myran homestead in rural Hawley.  Joy and Elvin raised their 4 children while operating their dairy and grain farm.  Joy and Elvin were honored to be awarded the 1982 Outstanding Conservation Farmer award.

Joy was very involved with her church serving on the church council, Sunday school teacher, WELCA president as well as being part of the quilter’s group.

After Elvin died in 1984, Joy started her 18- year career at the Hawley Golf and Country Club.  While working in the pro shop, she also catered men’s nights on Tuesday’s, golf tournaments, class reunions, groom’s suppers, dairy banquets, firemen’s dances, wedding receptions and many holiday parties.

Joy’s hobbies included watching figure skating, quilting, flower gardening, traveling, entertaining family and friends with a good meal, and most of all bragging about her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Joy is survived by sons, Colin Melby and Neil (Lynette) Melby and daughter,  Luci Melby;   brothers, Wallace (Cathy) Peck and Craig (Diane) Peck; Grandchildren Nichole and Joe Ericson, Laura Melby, Rebecca and Blair Gilberts, Thad Johnson, Heather Johnson, Kally (Dustin) Johnson,  Kenna (Jill)  Kennedy and Elly and Bennet Johnson; Great Grandchildren Jasmine Melby, Alex Ericson, Harper and Hadleigh Gilberts, Madelyn and Samantha Johnson, Ashlyn and Hendrix Kennedy, and Beau and Emmett Johnson; Sheryl Melby, two nieces and two nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Joy was preceded in death by her husband, Elvin; son, Carl; brother Paulus; grandsons, Jeremy Johnson and Barrett Haukaas;  her parents and grandparents.

Visitation will be Friday, November 4, 2022 from 4 to 6:30 pm, with a prayer service at 6:30 at Wright Funeral Home in Hawley, MN.  Visitation will continue before the funeral service which will be Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 11 am in Rollag Lutheran Church, rural Hawley, MN.  Burial will be at Rollag Lutheran Cemetery following the service.