MELLEM, Nellie 1854-1924

MELLEM

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/12/2026 at 22:18:19

Nellie Mellem
(July 4, 1854 – January 16, 1924)

Northwod Anchor and Index, Northwood, Iowa, Wed., Jan 23, 1924, p.5
Mrs. Ole G. Mellem Has Gone to Reward
One by one the pioneer residents of our town and vicinity answer the Master’s call, the latest one in Northwood being Mrs. Ole G. Mellem, who passed away at the family home last Wednesday evening. Although she had been in frail health for a number of years her last illness was of but two week’s duration. Mrs. Mellem can well be classed among the pioneers as fifty years ago last May she was married to Mrs. Mellem and for nearly forty years resided on the same farm just southwest of Northwood. Twelve years ago they decided to give up the strenuous farm life and spend their remaining days with fewer cares and responsibilities, and in 1911 moved to their modern home in northeast Northwood. In town, as in the country, Mrs. Mellem had many friends who had grown to love her for her splendid qualities. Mr. Mellem, who is in frail health and whose condition at times has been critical, and the sons and daughters have the heartfelt sympathy of the community. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 1:30 at the home and at two o’clock at the church, conducted by Rev. Carl Ylvisaker, who has kindly furnished us with the following obituary:
Mrs. Ole G. Mellem
Nellie Wigen was born July 4, 1854, near Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Her parents were K. K. Wigen and Raguhild Wigen. She was baptized at Manitowoc by Rev. Bjorn and confirmed by Rev. Alfsen. The father died just three days after the family came to America, leaving a poor mother with nine children, of whom Mrs. Mellem was the youngest, and, supposedly, the last survivor, the only remaining brother passes away a few months ago. In her life also we observe the strangeness of God’s directing providence. Her brother, Knute Wigen, came to Worth County in the early days and settled on what is now the Martin Severson place. Very naturally, the relatives from back home were attracted here for longer and shorter stays. These visits culminated in three local marriages. The mother of Lewis and Cornelius Butler, living at Northwood, was the eldest sister of the deceased. Another married John K. Hove. Finally, on May 24, 1883, Nellie, the youngest, was united in marriage to Ole G. Mellem, by the Rev. H. B. Hustvedt. They were blessed with seven children: Rush Gilbert, died one year, seven months old; the next two were twins, Olive passing away on the day of birth, while the other, Annette Karine, is now Mrs. A. E. Hauge, of Libson, North Dakota. Rush Gaylord lives with his family in Northwood; Ralph Wilhelm is a traveling salesman; Edwin Hurd died eleven months old; and the youngest, Grace Luella, has been a teacher in the Mason City public schools. There are also five grandchildren whom she loved with a mother’s love. Home was her earthly paradise. It was her dominion and sphere of activity. She was very devoted to her family. She loved her garden and her flowers, and would spend many a happy hour among them. But she was not loathe to leave it all, because she had visions by faith of a glory and happiness far surpassing. How we should rather envy those who have reached home, who roam up and down the heavenly Paradise, God’s great flower garden, in which He has planted myriads of celestial beings, in which also, praised be His name, He has transplanted thousands of early creations which He has purified by faith, washed in the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, adorned with the beauty of holiness and clothed with a robe of glorious majesty. “O not in anger, not in wrath, the reaper came that day; twas an angel visited the green earth, and took a flower away. Mr. and Mrs. Mellem moved from the old homestead to Northwood in 1911. Mrs. Mellem was already at that time in failing health. She was often ill, only to rally again and recover. Saturday evening, December 22, she partook of the Lord’s Supper together with her husband and children. It was Mr. Mellem then who was preparing for death, and little did we realize that she should go before him. She became very ill two weeks ago last Friday. It was soon apparent that she could not recover. Her children were summoned to her bedside and remained there day and night to give the last fond touch of loving hands. She seemed to realize herself that death was imminent, and made preparation to meet her God. She sank into unconsciousness about noon last Wednesday and passed away peacefully about ten-thirty the evening of the same day. And so the passing of this mother will likely mean the dissolution of another home, for what is home without a mother. But we have His word and promise that one great day, perhaps not so distant, when earthly tasks are ended and earthly days are past, He will gather all His children in the house of many mansions, where death shall never enter and night shall never come.