Nora J. Melquist

Nora Melquist, 87, Perham, MN, passed away peacefully on October 4, 2023, surrounded by the love and care of her sons and family at Big Cormorant Lake, MN, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Nora was born on February 19, 1936, in Buffalo, NY, to Mike and Edna Abram. Nora grew up in Kragnes, MN, attended school in Moorhead and graduated a proud Spud from Moorhead High. In 1955, she married Glenn Melquist, her lifelong best friend. Glenn passed away in 2007.  Nora was active in local politics and community organizations. Through Nora’s work at the Sunshine Tree at the Moorhead Center Mall and Glenn’s work at Cole Papers, they made many lifelong friends. Some of Nora’s fondest memories are the Cole Paper company trips to Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico and many other exciting places.  She enjoyed fishing, painting, casino runs, puzzles, and playing cards with her family and friends. She was especially fond of the evening pontoon rides around the lakes of West McDonald and Big Cormorant. 

Nora had a heart of gold and was a true role model for her family. Nora was second mom to so many of her boys’ friends, treating them as her own, always having something ready to eat and a warm place to stay. She never minded taking their nickels and dimes in a heated poker game, however. She will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched. Everyone loved Nora, but she will always “love you more.”  Nora had a great sense of humor. On her last day on this Earth she retold her favorite joke: “I bet you can’t guess what’s in this bag of oranges?” “Bananas?” someone answers. “Nope, bananas are this color,” as she raised her hands and pointed her index fingers about six inches apart. 

Nora was preceded in death by her husband, her father and mother; son, Kelly; son, Steven and daughter-in-law, Bonnie (Steven) Melquist; brother, Ralph (Mary); mother-in-law, Violet. She is survived by sons, David (Aleda), Moorhead, MN; Warren, Dent, MN; and Duane (Kay), Big Cormorant Lake, MN; brother, Terry (Nancy) Abram, Battle Lake, MN; grandchildren, Amy, Justin (Amy), Adam (Stephanie), Grant (Jana), Eric (Chris), Mike (Katie), Abby, Maddison, Amanda (T.J.), Bethany (Bryant) and Lucas (Danni); ten great-grandchildren, Mason, Brayden, Haylee, Tanner, Zoee, Callen, Jack, Jocelyn, Mikey, Steven, Nora and Hudson. She is also survived by nephews, Gary, Wayne, Mark, Terry, Matthew and Michael; and nieces, Lana, Karen, Holly and Amanda.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 2:00 PM with a visitation one hour before the service at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.