Melodie Reese

Melodie Rae Reese, age 74, of Grand Forks, ND passed away on July 5^th at the Good Samaritan nursing home in Larimore, ND.  

Melodie Helm was born on March 2^nd 1946 in Crookston,  MN,  daughter of the late Anthony and Claris (Wagstrom) Helm.   She was raised and went to school in Fertile, MN and played the tympani drums in high school.  Her Junior year she moved to Crookston, MN to live with family friend Mavis (Reese) Willert, there she met Hugh Reese whom she married on October 19, 1963, husband of 16 years.   They moved to Grand Forks, ND a few years later.   She was employed by Sears for 22 years at the South Forks mall where she excelled at selling furniture.

Melodie enjoyed singing, and sang with the Sweet Adalines for many years competing across the Midwest.  She had a special place in her heart for the family pets giving copious amounts of care and attention.    Her work ethic was that of a true Scandinavian, working two jobs tirelessly in retail for Sears and a full-time mother of two.   In her later years Melodie and Ron Keogh could often be seen enjoying the outdoors on the Grand Forks greenway often rolling miles in a single day, through Riverside Park, downtown for lunch or dinner and back again nearly every month of the year.   

Melodie is survived by her loving caregiver Ron Keogh, former husband Hugh Reese, of Grand Forks, ND,  son Vincent (Kari) Reese of Riverfalls, WI, daughter Ceean Reese and Grandson Gavin Reese of Grand Forks, sisters Gayle Holt of Sacramento, CA,  Laurie Pederson of Spirit Lake, ND and brother Craig Helm of Chula Vista, CA.  She was preceded in death by her parents Tony and Claris Helm.

Funeral Service:  11:00 am Saturday July 11^th at River Heights Lutheran Church in East Grand Forks, MN. Visitation will be for the hour before the service in the church. Burial will be First Evanger Cemetery of Fertile, MN.

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