Dale C. Melstrom, age 89 a lifelong resident of Ellsworth, died on Oct. 10, 2023, at Preferred Senior Living. Dale was born on May 5, 1934, in Red Wing, Minn., the son of Edward and Ollie (Whipple) Melstrom. He attended school in Ellsworth graduating in the class of 1953. Following high school he enlisted in the Armed Forces. During his military service in Germany, he met and fell in love with Marianne Dirner and they married on Aug. 6, 1959. This union blessed them with six children.
Upon returning to the states, Dale pursued further education at the University of Wisconsin- River Falls, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in social work. After gaining experience working in Eau Claire and Polk counties, he was hired as the Director of Human Services in Pierce County. A proud accomplishment as he was the youngest in the state of Wisconsin to ever be hired in this role. He remained in this position for over 30 years. As a visionary, he played a key role in initiating a pilot program within the state of Wisconsin called “Work Not Welfare,” which was supported and promoted by then-Gov. Tommy Thompson. Dale’s initiative and leadership led to the success of this program, prompting its expansion to other counties. Upon his retirement in 1999, Gov. Thompson himself paid tribute to Dale for his leadership and outstanding contributions not only to Pierce County but to the greater state of Wisconsin.
The cornerstone of Dale’s life was simple: faith and family. Dale was an active member of the English Lutheran Church, serving over 20 years as the Sunday School Superintendent. He and Marianne raised their children in a home filled with love, accountability, forgiveness and laughter at one’s own mistakes. Throughout his life Dale instilled into his family a love for the great outdoors. Dale and his sons purchased land for recreational enjoyment where they would deer and turkey hunt each year. He also enjoyed time at his sons’ cabins in Iron River where he would bear and deer hunt. Another enjoyment of Dale’s was fishing with children and grandchildren. The Melstrom family took annual trips to Luther Point where they spent countless hours fishing on Wood Lake. Other favorite fishing spots include White Ash Lake and bodies of water near Lake Superior. Fishing was a year-round hobby for him as he enjoyed ice fishing just as much as fishing off the boat. One of Dale’s many skills included gardening and canning. He spent a lot of his free time tending to massive family gardens. This yielded huge crops of fresh vegetables that he would proceed to can. His family could tell many stories of the hours spent with him making pickles, tomato products, jams and sauerkraut- just to name a few. Throughout all things Dale did in his life, the thing that mattered most is who he did it with.
Dale is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marianne, and their children: Steve (Sally) Melstrom, Scott (Terri Howe) Melstrom, Mark (Carol) Melstrom, Teresa (Mark) Strom and Mary Melstrom. Also survived by 23 grandchildren: Peter Girdeen, Ross Girdeen, Gary Melstrom, Jamie (Toby Rivord) Freese, Jared (Katy) Melstrom, Jenna (Dennis) O’Malley, Chad (Emily Lansing) Melstrom, Chase (Heather) Melstrom, Carlie (Jeffrey) DuBose, Riley (Kendra) Melstrom, Logan (Mallory Bleeker) Melstrom, Paige (Jon Walter) Strom, Mason Strom, Chelsy (Trent Schug) Strom, Sawyer Strom, Makara Strom, Kaden Strom, Delanie Strom, Tenley Strom, Conner Ekholm, Coby Ekholm, Cale Ekholm, Cramer Ekholm. Other surviving family members include brother Donald Melstrom, in-laws Bob Rosenow, Lois Melstrom, Mavis Melstrom, Liz Melstrom, and many great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his son, Peter Melstrom; parents, Ed and Ollie Melstrom; sister, Betty Rosenow; brothers, Glen, Charles, Perry (Dorene), Royce, Gary and Duane and other family members.
The funeral service for Dale Melstrom will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at English Lutheran Church in Ellsworth. Visitation was held 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Ellsworth, as well as one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday morning. Burial, with full military honors provided by the Ellsworth American Legion Post, will be in Maple Grove Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the discretion of the family. Funeral services are entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Ellsworth.
