Melva Weber

Melva Weber, 93, passed away March 6, 2012, at the rural Carson home of her daughter, Wanda Sturlaugson. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 12, at 5:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with Rev. Paul Ferrie officiating. Burial will be Tuesday, March 13, at 11:00 AM at ND Veterans Cemetery in Mandan. Visitation will be held on Monday, one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Melva Emma Seidel was born February 20, 1919, on the family farm near Fessenden, ND. She attended the local country school and later Fessenden High School, graduating as valedictorian of her class in 1936. Melva received a full-tuition scholarship to Jamestown College and paid for room and board by doing childcare and housekeeping for several families in town. In 1940 she graduated with a BA in English and began her teaching career in Binford, ND. In 1943 she was hired to teach English at Bismarck Junior High School. At this time she was also a soprano soloist with the Nordic Men's Chorus. It was in Bismarck one summer while she was working for the ND Hail Insurance Department at the Capitol that she met Wayne Weber, who said her beauty, sweetness, and cooking skills won him over. In June of 1947 they were married. That fall they moved to Grand Forks so that Wayne could finish his education at UND. While there, Melva taught English, first in Grand Forks and then in East Grand Forks. After Wayne's graduation in 1949, they moved back to Bismarck and started their family. Jeff was born in 1952, and twin daughters, Wanda and Wendy, arrived in 1954. Besides raising her family, Melva actively served her church and community. While a member at Trinity Lutheran Church, she sang in the church choir. She became a charter member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church after it was built, teaching Sunday school and vacation Bible school, singing in solos and in the church choir for more than twenty-five years, making arrangements for special music during worship, participating in Ladies' Circle, leading Bible studies, serving on two church committees and acting as chairperson of the Library Guild. She helped to organize the Bismarck Symphony League and for fifteen years was secretary for the Community Concert Series. Melva was also active in Thursday Music Club for over twenty-five years, serving in various offices and being in charge of the gold cup program for the Junior Music Festival every year. She met regularly with her bridge club and maintained many treasured friendships. Melva enjoyed reading and learning. She participated in the Fortnightly study club for many years. When it was her turn, she presented talks on many topics--music, literature, history, geography and social issues. In 1984 Melva received Bismarck's Gold Award for her volunteer services to the community. Melva was loved and appreciated by many people for her gracious manner, kindness, patience, diligence and faithfulness. She is survived by one sister, Gloria Luick of Moorhead, MN; one son and his children, Jeff Weber of Blaine, MN, Martha and Jaime Hawkins and Michael Weber; a daughter and her family, Wendy and Jim Blackburn of Omaha, NE, Micah, Matthew, Rebecca and Zach Blackburn; and another daughter and her family, Wanda and Stephen Sturlaugson of Carson, ND, Warren Sturlaugson, Adam and Tara Sturlaugson, Liessman Sturlaugson, Natalie Sturlaugson, Bethany and Zach Jenkins, Eve and Dan Bartell, Stuart Sturlaugson; and three great-grandchildren. Melva was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Emma Seidel; two brothers, Garlen and Arnold Seidel; two sisters, Ferne Adkins and Vila Sill; two sisters-in-law, Grayce Hanke and ElaNor Weber; and by her husband, Wayne Weber, who was her love for fifty-seven years. For Melva, to live was Christ and to die is gain.

Melva Weber

February 20, 1919 - March 6, 2012