Warren Manley Melby

Warren Manley Melby, 96, of Moorhead, MN, passed away on Friday, April 6, 2018, in Rosewood On Broadway, Fargo, ND.

Warren was born on November 14, 1921 to Andrew (A.K.) and Amanda (Osmon) Melby in Ashby, MN. Warren’s grandfather was Knut Olson Melby, an immigrant from Melby, a farm community in Norway. He settled the Ashby and Melby, MN area, and fought in the Civil War. A.K. owned the general store in Ashby. Warren helped him raise 3 large gardens every summer.  Warren attended and graduated from Ashby High School. He was united in marriage to Betty Marie Spring on May 11, 1942 in Evansville, MN.

Because of his work for a chicken hatchery, Warren said he “knew how to read a thermometer, and that was why they put me with the medics.” Warren served in the Army during World War II from 1942-1945 with the Medical Detachment 204th General Hospital. While Warren was overseas, their only son, Joe Manley Melby was born. He served in Hawaii, where he received his chef training.  Although his assigned duties were in food service, he often volunteered his time helping out in surgery, “because they were always short-handed.”  His unit was then assigned to the Western Pacific Theater, where he assisted the medics during the invasions of Saipan and Guam. He was the Mess Sergeant for the field hospital and permanent hospital on Guam, his return delayed because they didn’t have a replacement for him. On the return flight to Hawaii in a small plane, they lost an engine. The pilot told Warren to pray. They made an emergency landing on a small island. After being hospitalized in Texas, he returned home in November of 1945 to Ashby, where he owned Warren’s Cafe.

The Melby’s moved to Moorhead, where he worked as a chef at the V.A. Hospital in Fargo, and for many years Warren and Betty worked together at the Fargo Elks. After he retired, he was a chef for the Sons of Norway, Kringen Lodge. Warren cooked lutefisk dinners at many churches in North Dakota and Minnesota with his good friend, Carrol Juven.

A highlight of his retirement was the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.  He and Betty enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Mexico, to visit his sister Marian in Seattle, and twice to Disney World with Joe and Terry. After Betty’s passing in 2004, Warren enjoyed travelling with his son Joe to Montana, South Dakota, and numerous rides around town with his special friend, Graham.

Warren and Bett enjoyed many summers at their cottage on Pelican Lake, next to their neighbors and dear friends, Ron and Cathy Hanson. Warren had two large vegetable gardens, at home and at Pelican.

Survivors include his son, Joe (Terry) Melby; grandchildren Rachelle Sullivan, Micah Melby and Sarah Melby; 10 great-grandchildren:  Levi, Patrick, Taylor, Donavan, Danika, Megan, Ben, Zach, Trevor and Sasha; 3 great-great grandchildren:  Keyna, Kealy and Ryker; sister, Marian Nelson; niece, Carol Killoran; nephew, Bryan Melby.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; parents, Andrew and Amanda; brother, Howard (Margrit) Melby; and brother-in-law, Gerald Nelson.

The family would like to thank the VA Medical Center in Fargo for the many years of excellent care they gave to Warren, also ACCRA Home Care and Rosewood on Broadway for their loving care of Warren.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at 1:00 PM at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN, with a visitation from 11:30-1:00.

Interment will be at Fargo National Cemetery, Fargo, ND.