Melody J. Mortenson

Melody J. Mortenson, 73, of Moorhead, MN, passed away on Monday, November 22, 2021, at Sanford Health – Broadway, Fargo, ND.

Melody Jeanette Leaf was born in International Falls, MN, on October 28, 1948, to Rufus and Veronica (Saice) Leaf. She grew up in West Fargo and graduated from West Fargo High School. As kids, Melody and her siblings spent summers in White Earth, MN, helping their grandmother with gardening and canning.

In 1976 Melody married Merlin Mortenson in Moorhead where they raised their three children. The kids were active in many different sports and the family was always on the go. Melody worked many years in the Maintenance department for Moorhead State University. Her retirement from MSUM lasted about two weeks and she needed to get busy. She must have retired eight times before finally retiring for good.

Melody enjoyed playing pool, gardening (especially tending to her flowers), crocheting, watching the holiday movies on the Hallmark Channel, and spending time with family. She loved Christmas the most but hosted and cooked for most holidays. Her family was the most important thing in her life. She had a special connection with her grandson, Dalton.

She is preceded in death by her parents; grandma, Elizabeth; sisters, Wanda and Joy; and brothers, Jim, Garrie, and Dean

She is survived by children, Renee, Jessica, and Chuck; grandsons, Dalton and Nathaniel; brothers, Rodney and Ross (Patty); and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Roger Maris and the 7^th floor nurses for their exceptional care.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at 10:00 AM with a visitation one hour before the service at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.