Richard “Moon” Mellen, age 86, of Frazee, MN, passed away Friday, January 19, 2018, at Ecumen-Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 26, 2018, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Frazee, MN, at 11 AM, Visitation will be one hour prior to service. Burial will be made at Sacred Heart Cemetery, in Frazee, MN
Richard Alden “Moon” Mellen was born on October 29, 1931 in Freeport, Illinois to Alva and Anna (Sherbondy) Mellen. He graduated from Freeport High School. After graduation, he enlisted into the United States Army. While stationed at Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah, he met his beautiful wife, Shelby Formo. The two were married in 1953 and raised 10 children. Upon his return from Korea and his honorable discharge from the U.S Army, he used the GI Bill to learn the printing trade. The couple moved to Lake Park, MN where he ran a weekly newspaper from 1964 to 1974. He also got his pilots licenses and enjoyed flying single-engine planes.
They then moved to Frazee, MN where Moon built and ran the Frazee Freeze and went to school to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. In 1979 the couple then made their home in the Twin Cities where Moon held an array of jobs including, metal finisher and Licensed Practical Nurse at various nursing homes until 1992 when the couple retired to the “quiet north”.
Moon refereed both football and basketball games for 17 years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his spare time with his 10 children, 28 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Shelby of Frazee; 9 children: Deb (Mark) Pergande, of Frazee, MN, Denise Westlund, of West Fargo, ND, Michael (Lona) Mellen, of Mesa, AZ, Steven Mellen, of Coon Rapids, MN, Matthew (Kathryn) Mellen, of South St. Paul, MN, Timothy (Amy) Mellen, of North Branch, MN, Kate (Tim) Hansey, of Champlin, MN, Sarah Mellen, of Frazee, MN, and Daniel (Tammy) Mellen, of Princeton, MN; 28 grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren.
Moon was preceded in death by his parents, Alva and Anna Mellen; brothers: Darryl and Robert Mellen; daughter, Suzanne Mellen; and grandson, William Mellen.
Friday, January 26, 2018
10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Friday, January 26, 2018
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
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