Margaret Sponheim Melson's Obituary
Margaret Helene Sponheim Melson, 94, of Longview TX, passed away March 18, 2018. Services will be Friday, March 23rd, at 2pm, in the Rader Funeral Home Chapel, Longview, TX, with Ritchie Hamm officiating. Interment will follow at the Gum Springs Cemetery, Longview, TX. Visitation will be Thursday, March 22nd at Rader Funeral Home from 6-8pm.
Mrs Melson was born July 5, 1923 on a Nora Springs IA farm to Ingvald and Alice Sponheim. Until high school she attended a 1 - room schoolhouse; electricity was not installed on the farm until her college years.
Margaret received her nurses training at Fairview Hospital School of Nursing, Minneapolis, MN. In 1946 she married Charles Melson, a WWII veteran. In 1948 they moved to New Orleans, where Charles eventually acquired Melba Ice Cream. In New Orleans they raised 5 sons and a daughter. In 2004 Margaret moved to the Longview area, where she was lovingly looked after by son Arne and daughter-in-law Debbie.
Margaret’s life revolved around her beloved church and family. She enjoyed reading, sewing, and traveling to see her many family and friends, including her 60 year nursing class reunion.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Charles, and brother Norman Sponheim. She is survived by children Harald Melson (Denair) of Franklin, TN, Arne Melson (Debbie) of Hallsville, TX, Chris Melson (Pam) of Birmingham, AL, Lars Melson (Anita) of Colorado Springs, CO, Ingrid Melson Trout (Scott) of Stafford, VA, Peter Melson (Belinda) of Brandon, MS; 13 grandchildren: Thor Melson, Sam Melson, Sarah Kimball, Katie Kramer, Natalie Carreras, Kierstin Godson, Eric Melson, Soren Trout, Max Trout, Kjersti Strouse, Christian Trout, Erik Melson, Ian Melson; 14 great grandchildren, sister-in-law Mildred Sponheim, and nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to In Search of the Lord's Way, PO Box 371, Edmond, OK 73083 or Christian Relief Fund, PO Box 19670, Amarillo, TX 79114.
For the loving care of our mom, the family gives its heartfelt thanks to Angela McCasland and staff at Hawkins Creek Assisted Living, the staff at Pine Tree Lodge Nursing Home, and Jennifer Pounds with Compass Hospice of E Texas.
We give highest praise and honor to our wonderful God, and thank Him for allowing us to have our dear mom so many years.
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