Mary Thelma Meland, 93, passed away due to natural causes at the Northern Montana Care Center on Wednesday, November 11, 2020.  Her family has suggested memorial donations be made in her name to the First Lutheran Church KOJM Radio Broadcast.  A private graveside service for immediate family will be held.  Please visit Mary's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at www.hollandbonine.com .

Mary was born April 3, 1927, in Havre to Martin and Karen (Berg) Ulven.  She was raised on the family farm north of Havre, attending Spring Coulee School.  She graduated from Havre High School in 1945.  Mary then went to work for Valley Motors as a bookkeeper.  A year later, she married Sigurd Meland, and the couple lived and worked on his parents' farm until Sig's health required him to enter the nursing home.  At that time, Mary moved into town to live with her daughter, and she remained there until she entered the nursing home in 2009.

Mary was active in the Cottonwood community, and she was involved in the Cottonwood Home Demonstration Club, Sons of Norway, Cottonwood Lutheran Ladies' Aid, and First Lutheran Church.

She absolutely loved the farm life, and enjoyed gardening with vegetables and her flowers.  She liked playing cards and bowling.  Her home always smelled of good food, and the family loved to gather there for dinner.  After Mary moved to town, she encouraged her daughter to take her to the farm "just to check things out".  She was a loving wife and mother and enjoyed having grandchildren, and she was known for her kind and gentle spirit.

Mary worked with the Cottonwood Home Demonstration Club on the compilation of the histories of the homesteaders in the Simpson and Cottonwood areas.  She typed much of the book "In the Years Gone By" on her old manual typewriter.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Sigurd Meland; parents, Martin and Karen Ulven; sisters, Joyce Ulven, Karen Hinebauch, and Ruth Morse; and brothers-in-law, Bill Hinebauch, Edgar Morse, and George Gerky.

Mary is survived  her children, Gary (Gloria) and Wanda Meland, both of Havre; grandchildren, Cori (Troy) Meldrum and Justin Hofland; five great-grandchildren, Jacie, Ashley, Jenna, Sierra, and Jayla; sister, Edith Gerky of Havre; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary's family wishes to thank the Care Center staff for the loving care she received while there.