Melvyn “Mel” Lewellyn Ristvedt

Melvyn “Mel” Lewellyn Ristvedt passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, April 14, 2019 at Rosewood on Broadway, Fargo ND.

Mel was born in Fargo, ND on March 22, 1936 to Melvin and Ann (Ryan) Ristvedt.  He grew up in Hawley and graduated from Hawley High School in 1954. On March 19, 1955 while on leave from the Army, Mel married Margaret McDonald at St. Frances Xavier Church in Lake Park. He was a devoted and loving husband and they celebrated 64 years of marriage this year.

Mel served in the US Army for three years. He was stationed at Fort Ord, California and France.  Margaret was able to join him throughout his military time. Mel worked for Frito Lay as a Route Salesman for 32 years.  After retiring, he worked at Kirk’s Super America in Hawley for another 10 years.

Mel and Margaret enjoyed traveling in the US as well as Europe. Mel loved hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family at Big Cormorant lake.  He loved being on the water and owned several boats in his lifetime. Mel was tireless at teaching anyone that wished to learn how to water ski.  It was common to hear him say “Let’s try one more time” until they succeeded. Mel had a big heart.

Mel was a charter member of St. Andrews Catholic Church and the Hawley High School Booster Club. He belonged to the American Legion, served on the Hawley Planning Commission and the Hawley Cemetery Association. Mel took great pride in being from the town of Hawley.

Mel is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Ann Ristvedt; mother and father-in-law, Katherine and John McDonald; brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald McDonald, John and Gretchen McDonald, Harold and Catherine Herbst, Wallace and Mary Kuehl, Vincent Fridgen, Clark and Barbara Engler, Richard and Karen McDonald, Donald Jameson; and niece, Connie Mills.

Mel is survived by his loving family: wife, Margaret; daughter, Robyn (Tim) Coen; sons, Daniel (Patti) Ristvedt, Mark (Coley) Ristvedt, and Shawn Ristvedt; grandchildren, Meghan Coen (Steven Maguire), Courtney Coen, DJ Ristvedt, Katie Ristvedt (Patrick Ploog), Hunter (Michelle) Ristvedt and Henry Ristvedt; great-grandchildren, Riley Ploog, Aubrey Ploog, and Paige Ristvedt; sister, Dolores “Micki” Jameson; niece, Kathy (Glenn) Janda; brothers and sisters-in-law, Patricia Fridgen, Charles and Betty McDonald, Glenn and Sara Cook, and Doreen McDonald; and many other loving relatives and friends.

Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00A.M., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M, Monday, April 22, 2019, at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Hawley, MN. Burial will be at Hawley Cemetery at a later date.

The family of Melvyn Ristvedt would like to thank the many wonderful individuals who took care of Mel in the recent months including those at the Hawley Manor, Rosewood on Broadway in Fargo, and Ethos Hospice.