Melvin Peder Oien

Funeral services for Melvin Oien, age 86, of Milaca, will be held Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 3 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Milaca with Rev. Tim Bauer officiating.  Visitation will be from 5 - 7 PM Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Milaca and 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.  Interment will take place at the Kingo Lutheran Cemetery in Fosston on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at 2 PM.Melvin Peder Oien was born on January 31, 1931 to Peder and Emma (Borseth) of Fosston, MN. He was the first born son (three older sisters) of first and second generation immigrants from Norway. Mel was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith at Kingo Lutheran Church of Fosston. He graduated from the Fosston High School (1949) and went on to further his education at the Dunwoody Technical College of Minneapolis after his four years of service with the USAF where he was stationed at Giebelstadt, Germany with the Logrollers, 603rd Aircraft and Warning Squadron during the Cold War and Korean War. Mel was granted a leave of absence to return home to attend to his terminally ill father before continuing his service stateside in Wadena, MN where he received his Honorable Discharge for completion of enlistment. He had many fond memories of his childhood in spite of the hardship of losing his parents at different stages of his youth. He continued his connection to his hometown community through visits home and receiving the Thirteen Towns Newspaper. Mel met his future wife, Gloria (Hellman) while stationed with the Great Northern Railway in Sandstone, MN. This coming June 28, 2017 would have been their 59th Anniversary. Mel passed into Eternal Glory on Friday, April 21, 2017 at the Fairview Northland Regional Hospital in Princeton surrounded by love in the presence of his immediate family. His family will forever be appreciative for his faithful ability to provide for his family through his chosen career as an agent and telegrapher with GNR and his flexibility to adapt to all the changes in technology as that profession evolved into his need for computer knowledge to maintain his 42 plus year career with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. Mel is survived by his wife, Gloria, children; Deanne (Charles) Ballentine, Dave, Tim (Kristin), Gail (Dave) Totzke, his grandchildren; Brandon (Alicia), Justin (Cassie), Nicholas, Breanna, Ben, Jennifer, Seth, and Courtney, his great-grandchildren; Kamryn, Koen, Braiden, and Bethany, and his step-sister, Mary Ann Glass, numerous nieces and nephews as well as beloved friends. Mel will be remembered for the kindnesses he did for others and his generous heart. Mel is preceded in death by his parents, step-mom, Hilda (Carlstrom) Oien, sisters; Elsie Loso, Ann Voden, and Mildred Pagel, grandson, J. Michael, and other family members.