Bernice Meline

Bernice Meline, 88, wife of Albert Meline of rural Hendrum, MN, passed away in the early morning of May 30, 2006 at the Halstad Living Center, Halstad, MN. She had been in failing health for the past several years and finally succumbed to strokes and the infirmities of age.

Bernice was born the third child of Sigurd and Clara (Jenson) Dalhaug on August 23, 1917 on a homestead farm near Amidon, ND, where she lived until she was two years old when the family moved back to the rural Gary - Twin Valley, MN area. Bernice grew up on her grandparents farm and attended Marsh Creek School along with life-long friends and cousins in the area. She had a strong love of learning prompted by her older sister, Adeline, and was accelerated in her classes. She learned Norwegian as her first language and was confirmed in the Lutheran church in the Norwegian language. As a youth, she was a member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church near Twin Valley.


Bernice attended Twin Valley High School until her senior year when redistricting brought a move to Mahnomen High School from which she graduated at the age of 16. She then attended Moorhead State Teachers College and earned a two-year teaching certificate. Bernice taught school in various one-room rural schools in the Mary Township and Flom, MN, areas.


On July 23, 1944, Bernice and Albert Meline were married at the Dalhaug farm. They farmed in Lee Township and enjoyed over 62 years of marriage. They stayed very busy farming and raising five children and were also active members of the Hendrum - Perley community. Bernice was especially active in Immanuel Lutheran Church as a Sunday school teacher, with the women's organization and as a church deacon. Bernice also supported the Hendrum PTA, and was active in scouting and 4-H activities.


Among her great joys was music. Bernice enjoyed playing the piano and singing. She strongly encouraged all her children to participate in musical activities and took great pride and pleasure in the musical accomplishments of her granddaughters.

Family was a top priority for Bernice throughout her life. She often said that the most important thing a person could do in life is to have children and be a good parent. Bernice was especially proud to have fourteen grandchildren and, in the past two years, felt very blessed to have three great-grandchildren with another on the way. She genuinely enjoyed large family gatherings, cooking meals for the many friends and relatives who could be counted on to show up. She was happiest when there were little children around and even during the past year was filled with joy when her great- grandchildren would visit her in the nursing home. She loved these little children most of all and enjoyed gently holding them as she posed for pictures.


Above all, Bernice had a life-long commitment to Jesus Christ. She was a very kind and devout Christian woman whose love of God permeated all that she did. Her example affected the lives of the many children she taught in those rural Norman County public schools as well as her immediate and extended family members.


Bernice was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Clifford Dalhaug; and her sister, Adeline Lefstad. She leaves behind her loving husband of 62 years, Albert Meline of rural Hendrum; son, Arlen and wife, Janis of Honolulu, HI; son, Roger and wi
Visitation: Saturday from 5 - 7 PM with a prayer service at 6:30 PM,
Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.


Funeral Service: Sunday, June 4, 2006, at 2 PM,
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hendrum.







Interment: Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Hendrum.