Gene Melhus, age 88, of Ulen, MN, formerly Hawley, MN, died Thursday, January 15, 2015, in Viking Manor Nursing Home, Ulen.

Gene A. Melhus was born May 7, 1926, the daughter of Samuel and Hedvig (Clemenson) Forde in Hillsboro, ND. She grew up and attended school in Hillsboro where she also graduated from high school. On December 14, 1946, Gene was united in marriage to Wallace Melhus in Hillsboro. The couple made their home on a farm near Mayville, ND, until the early 1960's, when they moved into Mayville. In the 1980's, Gene and Wallace made their home in Fargo, ND, until moving to Hawley late in 1999. After Wallace's death in 2000, Gene lived with her daughter in Hawley until entering the spring of 2012, when she became a resident of the Viking Manor Nursing Home in Ulen where she had lived since.

Gene is a past member of the Eagles and the VFW Auxiliary. Her favorite pastimes included playing cards, bowling, dancing and crocheting. She loved spending time with her family, but Gene especially treasured the time she spent with her grand-children.

Gene is survived by a son, Dale (Allyson) Melhus of Alexandria, MN; two daughters, Teresa (James) Rabis of Hawley, MN and Kathy (Bruce) Ellingson of Big Lake, MN; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; a brother, Fred (Arlene) Forde of Green Bay, WI.

She is preceded in death by her husband; a son, Steven; a brother, Donald and two sisters, Dagny and Gerry.

Funeral Services were held on Monday, January 19, 2015, at 1:30 p.m.in Viking Manor Nursing Home, Ulen. Visitation was one hour prior to the service. Officiating was Pastor Mike Rueckert. Pallbearers were Dale and Allyson Melhus, Kathy and Bruce Ellingson, and Teresa and Jim Rabis.

Interment was in the Hawley Cemetery.