Pearl S. Melbye

Pearl Sylvia was born July 14, 1915 in Hitterdal, Minnesota, to Nels and Minnie Olson Eide. She grew up and attended school in Hitterdal, graduating from Hitterdal High School in 1933. She then attended Moorhead State Teachers College from 1934 until 1936. Following her schooling, she taught from 1936 until 1937 near Ulen, MN, Keene Township country school from 1937 until 1938, and Hitterdal Schools from 1938 until 1940. Pearl was married to Richard Melbye on June 9, 1940 in Salem Lutheran Church, Hitterdal, Minnesota. Following her marriage she returned to teaching in Hitterdal, where she taught fourth grade from 1960 until 1970, and from 1971 until 1980 she taught Title 1 Reading, retiring in 1980. Richard died October 19, 2005. Pearl was an active member of Salem Lutheran Church where she was Choir Director from 1948 until 1976. She also directed the Hitterdal Band and Choir from February until June of 1960. She is survived by two sons, Michael Lois Melbye of Maple Grove, MN, and Marshall Diane Melbye of Dickinson, ND; one brother, Burton Esther Eide of Hitterdal, MN; four grandchildren, Eric Susan Melbye of St. Louis Park, MN, Matthew Jennifer Melbye of Maple Grove, MN, Jessica Brian Hawley of New Market, MN, and Kristin Melbye of Sioux Falls, SD; six great-grandchildren, Emily and Abigail Melbye of St. Louis Park, MN, Peter and Jack Melbye of Maple Grove, MN, and Paige and Corrine Hawley of New Market, MN; many nieces and nephews; and a sister-in-law, Alaila Hansen of New Hope, MN. She was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers, Norman and Allen, and a sister, Eunice.