Carol Melhouse

Carol Ruth Melhouse, age 79 of Cannon Falls, died peacefully early on Monday morning, September 15, 2008 at the Cannon Falls Medical Center.

Carol was born at home in Belle Creek Township on January 2, 1929, the daughter of Harry and Irene (Benson) Edstrom. She attended country school in Leon Township and graduated from Cannon Falls High School in 1946. She worked at St. John’s Hospital in Red Wing before going to college at Gustavus Adolphus, and later graduated from the registered nursing program at Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul.

Carol eloped with her high school sweetheart, Alva Melhouse in Northwood, Iowa on October 5, 1947. After 59 years of marriage her beloved husband, Alva died on May 3, 2007. She was involved with her church and community all her life. She was baptized and confirmed at Spring Garden Lutheran Church, where she later taught Sunday school and confirmation, was president of the LCW, and was a board member of Lutheran Social Ministries for 17 years. She was currently an active member of St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church. Along with Alva, they were foster parents for 10 years.

Carol was a registered nurse for 48 years; the first 20 years at Zumbrota Community Hospital, the director of nursing at Mineral Springs Treatment Center, the Director of Home Health Service in Cannon Falls, and lastly the Zumbrota Area Hospice.

She was always willing to help when needed, enjoyed the book club, bible study and wintering with her husband in Arizona.

She is lovingly survived by her sons, Dale (Cheryl) of Goodhue and Paul of Cannon Falls; daughter, Laurel (David) Kuplic of Bloomington; her seven grandchildren, Christine (Scott) Collins, Jason Melhouse, Erin (Andy) Hines, Eric and Brett Melhouse, Steven and Andrew Kuplic; her five great grandchildren, Abby, Makenna and Josie Collins, Elijah and Jude Hines; one step-grandson, Jim (Kristy) Olson; two step-great grandchildren, Annika and Garrett Olson; sister, Marian (Don) Lundberg of Plymouth; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alva; and her parents.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church, with Pastor Gary Schulz and Pastor Dorothy Sandahl officiating. Interment will follow a luncheon at church at the Spring Garden Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4 to 8 pm at the Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls. There will also be visitation at the church on Thursday from 10-11 a.m.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Steven and Andrew Kuplic, Eric, Brett and Jason Melhouse, and Scott Collins.

Memorials are preferred to St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church.

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