Donald “Don” Gene Melstrom
Donald “Don” Gene Melstrom, 87, of Durand, WI died Thursday, November 28, 2024 while visiting his son in Decatur, GA. Don was born at his parent’s home on February 2, 1937 near Ellsworth, WI. He was the son of Edward “Ed” and Ollie (Whipple) Melstrom; he was the fifth of nine children, eight boys and one girl.
He graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1956 and married his high school sweetheart, Beverly “Bev” Jean (Nelson) Melstrom on December 26, 1958. A fire at their church necessitated a change in location and a date when people would be available to attend. Don graduated from the UW-River Falls in 1960 with degrees in mathematics and economics. He then turned down an opportunity to pursue a graduate degree in the emerging field of Computer Science in order to pursue another emerging field, Social Work.
An incredibly caring and compassionate person, he was always working to better the conditions of his neighbors. Besides serving as a social worker, including as the longtime director of the Pepin County Social Services, he was a volunteer firefighter with the Durand Fire Department and one of the first Emergency Medical Service Persons with the Durand Ambulance Service in Durand; he was particularly proud of serving as Lions Club president and of the Fun Fest parades he helped organize in the 1970s. He retired from social work in the 80s for the opportunity to work with his brother and parents at the family business. He was the longtime director of the local food pantry and as a board member with ‘Feed my People’ – both positions he took after he ‘finally retired.’ He was also an involved member of his Church serving in a variety of supporting roles over more than 50 years.
Those who knew him personally will remember him as a hard-working, devoted family man with a great sense of humor, energetic, a perfectionist, a chowhound and as someone ridiculously satisfied with finding good deals.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Bev Melstrom, all of his siblings and his parents.
He is survived by his children: Jeff Melstrom, Lori Melstrom, Karen (Bill) Gruber, Jim (Ruth) Melstrom and Paul (Anna) Melstrom, 15 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
A Memorial service will be held for Don at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at Durand United Methodist Church, 509 1st Ave, Durand, WI. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Goodrich Funeral Home in Durand is assisting the family. To express on-line condolences, visit obituaries at www.goodrichfh.com.
