Bernetta Betty Melby 94, of Oklee, MN died on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at First Care Nursing Home in Fosston, MN.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 16, 2009 at 10:30 AM in Zion Lutheran Church, Oklee, MN with Reverend Robert Paulson Officiating. Burial will be held in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery at Oklee.

Visitation will be held Sunday 5-8 PM with a 7:30 PM prayer service at Johnson Funeral Service in Oklee, and also on Monday one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.

Bernetta Betty Dora Seeger was born January 18, 1915 in the village of Oklee to Charles and Flore (Tessier) Seeger. She attended school and graduated from the Oklee High School in 1933. She graduated from the Fargo Beauty Academy and worked in beauty shops in Bemidji and Thief River Falls. She owned and operated the Oklee Beauty Shop from 1935-1942.

On August 8, 1938 she was united in marriage to Thomas Melby and they built their home on Main Street in Oklee. Early in 1943, Tom joined the US Navy and Betty moved to San Pedro, CA and worked in a shipyard as a welder. When the war ended, they returned to Oklee in November 1945. Shortly after their return they started their family two sons, Thomas Jay and Clifton. The couple purchased the Oklee Lumber Yard and operated it as partners from 1945 to 1976 when they sold it to their son Clifton.

Betty was a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a volunteer at the Oklee Senior Site and an active member of TOPS for many years. Betty loved to travel with her husband Tom and later with tour groups throughout the world. After Tom died in 1985 she continued her travels well in to her 90s. She liked yard work and flower gardening, and push mowed her yard until last summer at the age of 93! She loved her family best of all.

She is survived by her son Clifton (Barb) Melby of Oklee, MN; grandchildren Isaac (Marcella) Melby, Jacob (Cindy) Melby and Erin (Kevin) Crawford; 6 great grandchildren Sydney, Karena, Lauren, Dana, Tatum and Simone. She is also survived by her older sister, Florence Paquin, Oregon and several nieces and nephews.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Tom, her son Thomas Jay in 1967, brother William Seeger and sister Frances Anderson.

ORGANIST: Marian Marquis
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: How Great Thou Art #856, Eternal Father, Strong To Save #756
SOLOIST: Donna Fossum It Is No Secret What God Can Do
SPECIAL SOLOIST: Sydney Melby Shout for Joy
SPECIAL MUSIC: Bettys Great Granddaughters Jesus Loves Me
READERS: Jacob Melby & Beth Carlson
EULOGIST: Isaac Melby
CASKET BEARERS: John Lerohl, John Loiland, Rene Hofstad, Tim Radniecki, David Sovde, Tim Mundt