Calvin "Cal" Melgard

Calvin Dwan Melgard, 89, Warren, MN, died on Friday, November 13, 2015, in Valley Transitional Center, Grand Forks, ND.

Calvin was born June 10, 1926, the second son of Alice (Forslund) and H.Q. Melgard. Cal graduated from WHS and was a life long resident of Warren. He followed Betty Brantl, his high school sweetheart, to Spokane, WA, where they were employed at the Army Air Force Technical Service Command base during WWII. They married November 1, 1944 in Coeur d'Alene, ID, and with the war winding down returned to Warren, which they called home the next 71 years.

Cal worked as a “jack-of-all-trades” (but a master of none) for several local businessmen before owning and operating “Cal's Cafe” from 1953-59. Cal was employed by the US Postal Service until his retirement in 1982.

For 37 years, Cal was in public office in the Warren community. Cal’s service included Marshall County Commissioner 12 years, Director of MN Association of Counties 4 years, Warren City Council 4 years, Warren Hospital Board 9 years, and past Master at the Warren Masonic Lodge. Cal served on the Warren School Board 12 years, five as Chairman. During his tenure, a new elementary school, an addition to the High School and gymnasium were built. After handing a diploma to each of his children, Cal retired from the school board. He was named Builder of Warren in 1995.

He was also involved in regional public service on K-Mar Powers Board, 10 County Household Hazardous Waste Board, NW Mental Health Board of Directors, NW Apartments Board, and Vice Chairman of the NW Regional Development Commission Enterprise Loan Fund.

Cal is survived by his wife of 71 years, Betty; sons, John (Marsha) of Janesville, WI, Calvin Jr. (Mary) of Torrance, CA, and Ralph (Cindy) Melgard of Altoona, WI; daughters, Margaret Melgard of Warren, and Alice (Randy) Matthews of Cold Spring, MN; ten grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren with one on the way. Cal is also survived by three nieces and two nephews.

He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Alice; and three brothers, Homer, Robert, and Richard Melgard.

A visitation and celebration of Cal's life will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 from 5-8:00 PM, with a prayer service at 5:00, in DuBore Funeral Home, Warren, MN.

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