Frank Melchior, 93, longtime Richardton resident, died Friday, March 21, 2014 at Sanford Health, Bismarck. Frank’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Richardton, with Fr. Boniface Muggli, OSB as the celebrant. Interment will follow at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, with military honors provided by the Richardton American Legion, Theo R Zech Post 180 following the Mass. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, and will continue at the church from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a rosary & vigil at 8 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.
Frank was born on November 11, 1920, on a farm south of Taylor, to Mike and Cecelia (Bindels) Melchior. He attended Springvale School No. 1. After completing the 8th grade he attended Assumption Abbey for about a year.
Frank married Clara Hoff on November 22, 1943 in Richardton. In May 1944, he was called to serve in the United States Army. He served in Company “A” 60th Infantry Regiment 9th Infantry Division as Private First Class in Germany until his discharge in June 1946. They made their home on a farm south of Richardton where they raised seven children. In 1988, they moved from the farm to their home in Richardton.
Frank was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 180 40 et 8 in Richardton; president of the Richardton Rural Fire Department for over 25 years; member of the Knights of Columbus; served on the St. Mary’s School Board; and drove school bus for the Richardton Public School District for many years.
Frank loved making sausage twice a year with his sons; and visiting and spending time with his grandchildren. There was always a house full of laughter and fun as family filled his home at holidays and special occasions.
Frank’s loving family includes his children: Jane Pringle, Rapid City, S.D.; Jim (Vickie), Bismarck; Wally (Sue), Rapid City, S.D.; Melvin (Kit), Denver, Colo.; Brenda (Blake) Krabseth, Minot; Frank (Jane), Almont; and Nancy Grosulak, Minot; 17 grandchildren; and 18 2/3 great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by two sisters: Florentine Boehm, Dickinson, and Della (Bill) Forster, Bismarck; three sisters-in-law: Gladys Melchior, Bismarck; Geri (Harvey) Baer and Leona Hoff, Richardton; two brothers-in-law: Joe Hammerschmidt, Richardton; and John (Irene) Hoff, Dickinson; and several nieces and nephews.
Frank was preceded in death by his wife Clara of 69 years; his parents; brothers: Mike, Marcel, John, and two infants; sisters: Cecelia Hoerner and Rose Schlosser; and one granddaughter: Mikayla Rose Grosulak.
