Roy F. Mellmer, 81, Reeder, died Monday, November 11, 2013 at the St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Roy’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 8 a.m., Friday, November 15, 2013 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Reeder, with Fr. Stephen Folorunso as the celebrant. Interment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Military honors will be provided by the Reeder American Legion Carl Hendrickson Post 51 following the Mass. Visitation will be on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, with a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.
Roy F. Mellmer was born February 8, 1932 at Havelock, the son of Mike J. and Lena (Magelky) Mellmer. At the age of one year, the family moved to the farm near Reeder. He attended Darling Springs Country School and St. Mary’s in New England.
He joined the United States Army on February 5, 1952 and following his tour in Germany he was honorably discharged on February 9, 1955. Returning to North Dakota he went to work for the North Dakota Highway Department as a surveyor.
Roy was united in marriage to Marlyes M. Novotny on June 11, 1956 in Beach. He went on to attend barber school in Fargo. The Mellmer’s lived in Dickinson for a few years prior to moving to New England in 1961 where he opened his own barber shop. The family then made a move to the farm by Reeder where he has lived since. They farmed east of Reeder from 1974 to 2006. During this time he also worked at the Knife River Mine from 1976 to 1986.
He enjoyed camping and spending time at the lake. He loved to socialize, enjoyed dancing, playing cards and going bowling.
Roy is survived by his three sons, Rick (Gloria) Mellmer, Dickinson, Michael (Heidi) Mellmer, Reeder, and Tracy (Darlene) Mellmer, Beulah; 14 grandchildren, Erik (Krystal) Mellmer, Lynn (Dalon) Grimm, Marc Mellmer, Jake (Kelsey) Mellmer, Luke Mellmer, Dalton Mellmer, Preston Mellmer, Damon Mellmer, Jaxon Mellmer, Quinn Mellmer, Evan Mellmer, Tyrel Mellmer, Spencer Mellmer, and Mason Mellmer; seven great-grandchildren, Grace, Jacoby, Bennett, Kolten, and Kane Grimm, Isabella Mellmer and Jaks Mellmer; and his sister Ruth Fitterer, New England. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marlyes on March 5, 2010; by his parents; and two brothers, Raymond Mellmer and Roy’s twin, Rueben Mellmer.
