Alan C. Melby

Alan Curtis Melby, 95, of Hawley, MN, passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at Eventide Senior Living, Fargo, ND.

Alan was born on June 24, 1930, in Moorhead, MN, to Lauritz and Bertha (Albertson) Melby. Alan grew up in Rustad, MN, and walked his way to the rural country school until 8th grade. He went on to attend school in Comstock until he graduated. He married Loretta Joanne Schroeder on November 20, 1949, in Fargo, ND, before moving to a farm north of Hawley. Together, they raised 3 children.

Alan worked with beef cattle and farmed small grains. When a hailstorm destroyed the crops, Alan was forced to sell his livestock and pick up a seasonal job with Crystal Sugars in Moorhead. He was later elected Clay County Commissioner and also served several terms at the President of the Hawley Elevator. After retiring in 1997, Alan and Loretta began snowbirding to Texas during the winter months.

Alan was very active with Lysne Lutheran Church. He sang in the church choir, helped serve meals, and even taught Sunday school. You could find him ringing the church bell often with the help of the kids from the church. Alan loved sports and enjoyed playing basketball, softball, and golfing. He liked to visit with friends and family while playing cards. He was infamously known as an undefeated calf roper in the Hawley rodeo with his good friend Marvin Dauner.

Alan was a very caring and compassionate man. He was hard working and would help anyone in need. If he ever noticed someone stuck on the side of the road, he was right there to help. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Alan is Survived by his daughter, Teresa Kuvaas and son, Mark (Janet) Melby; grandchildren, Jessica (Shannon) Henry, Jack (Heather) Titus III, Duke (Amanda) Kuvaas, Claire (Jeremy) Schembri, Daniel Kuvaas, Douglas Kuvaas, Darin (Deirdre) Kuvaas, Aaron Melby, and Alison Melby; 12 great grandchildren; brothers, Lynn, Rodney, and Gary Melby, and many other loving relatives and friends.

Alan is preceded in death by his wife Loretta; parents; daughter, Marcia (Jack) Titus; son-in-law, David Kuvaas; siblings, Bernice Schenck, Adeline Corwin, Gloria Flom, Doris Seifert, Vivian Poach and Stanley Melby.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 31, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 at Wright Funeral Home, Hawley, MN.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation one hour before the service at Lysne Lutheran Church, rural Hawley, MN.

Final resting place will be in Salem Lutheran Cemetery, Fargo, ND.