Melbourne "Mel" Walk, age 80, of Ogema, MN, died Monday, February 24, 2020, at his home in Ogema.

Melbourne John Walk was born in Perham, MN, the son of Robert and Ida (Wiese) Walk on July 24, 1939.  He grew up and attended school in the Perham community, graduating from Perham High School in 1957.  Following graduation, Mel entered the U.S. Army and travelled with the Army Military Band.  After an honorable discharge, Mel returned to the Perham area.  He worked for Wilcox Lumberyard in New York Mills, MN, until he was transferred to the Wilcox Lumberyard in Ogema.  Mel met Mary Vomacka and they were united in marriage on April 20, 1963.  The couple made their home in the Ogema area and were blessed with two daughters, Sherry and Sharlene.  After the lumberyard closed, Mel worked at various jobs including Otis Elevator, Kershner Construction Company and Kath Farm Store before starting his own farm mechanic business, M & J Farm Service, in Ogema.  In later years, Mel also worked with his brother, Merle, for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency maintaining and mowing closed landfills.  He spent many hours snow blowing, lawn mowing and cutting township road ditches.

Mel was blessed with the gift of music and could play any tune by ear.  He played numerous instruments, including trombone, trumpet, piano, guitar and his most loved instrument, the accordion.  He loved to play old time music and polkas with his band, Melody Aces.  They played at many wedding dances, and bars & taverns such as The Rancho, Buffalo Lake Tavern, Spruce Grove and the Flowing Well.

Family was very special to him.  He loved to deer hunt up north at "beer camp" with his brothers and nephews, and later enjoyed teaching his grandkids the joys of the hunt.  In his spare time, Mel enjoyed attending his grandchildren's many sporting events, fishing with his brother-in-law, Doug, both summers and winters, playing Bingo in Callaway and visiting area casinos.  He had a knack for fixing anything.  Mel attended the UCC Church of Christ in Waubun and was also very active with the Ogema Volunteer Fire Dept, where he held the position of Chief for many years.  He was well known for loving a good stogie, Pabst beer, Chevy trucks and his John Deere tractor. Mel will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Mel is survived by his wife, Mary of Ogema; two daughters, Sherry (Danny) Steffl of Callaway, MN; and Sharlene (Joe) Delaney of Perham, MN; two grandchildren, Kalie Steffl of Fargo, ND and Jonah Steffl of Callaway, MN; a sister, Marcella (Milton) Lawson of Wadena, MN; sister and brother-in-law, Carol (Doug) Fabre of Waubun and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Alfred "Sonny" Alberts, Marvin Walk, and Merle Walk; one sister, Myrtle Hinz; and two nephews, Mike and Randy Walk.

Funeral Services will take place at Circles of Faith, United Church of Christ in Waubun, MN, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 28, 2020. Visitation will be held Thursday, February 27, 2020, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in Ogema City Cemetery,  Ogema, MN.