Luella Melroy

Luella Elizabeth Melroy passed away on December 2, 2006, several days after suffering a stroke. She will be greatly missed by family, friends and the many contacts she made through her community services. Luella was born to Roy and Grace Noltimier on the family farm near Churchs Ferry, North Dakota, on May 22, 1920. After graduating as valedictorian of her class from Churchs Ferry High School, she attended Dakota Business College in Fargo. Her professional career was almost entirely in the field of insurance in Fargo, Minot, St. Paul and for many years in Toledo, Ohio, where she owned Manhattan Insurance Service until 1991 at which time she retired and returned to live in Fargo. Her volunteer activities began by age 20 and spanned 66 years of her adult life. She was active in the YWCA in Fargo as a young professional and in Toledo where she served two years as president of the board of trustees. She rose to the position of vice-president of the National Association of Insurance Women after serving two years as president of the Insurance Women of Toledo. In the early 1970’s, Luella became active in the National Management Association (NMA) serving in a number of local and national offices and finally in 1990, as the Chairman of the Board of the national organization. During her tenure as chairman, the first international chapter was established. She remained active in and devoted to that organization, even in retirement. After moving to Fargo in 1991, she soon became involved in the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) serving as chair of the local office for two years, state director and eight years as district director. She continued to give her time weekly in the local office. She was also a member of the First United Methodist Church of Fargo on first moving to Fargo at 18 and again on her return to Fargo in 1991. Her many awards attest to her devotion to these causes and the admiration of her colleagues. In 1990, NMA presented her the award of Silver Knight of Management and in 1995, the Gold Knight Award which is the highest award given by that organization. She later received from SCORE the Platinum Leadership Award, the highest given by that organization. In 1997, she was a Woman of the Year Honoree of the YWCA of Fargo-Moorhead. Luella married Richard P. Melroy of Toledo in 1957. He preceded her in death in 1974. She is also predeceased by her parents, Roy A. Noltimier and Grace Dingman Noltimier, her brothers Warren, Donald and Henry all of Ramsey County and her sister, Alice L. Petty of Fargo. She is survived by her brother, Dr. Louis Noltimier, Rockmart, Georgia, her sister-in-law, Dolores Noltimier, Devils Lake and many nephews and nieces and their children, all of whom occupied special places in her life. She functioned, from 1966 after the deaths of both parents, as the matriarch of the family. Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 5, 2006, from 5-7pm at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, with services at First United Methodist Church in Fargo on Wednesday, December 6, 2006, at 10:00 AM with the Rev. Charles Belzer officiating, with interment at the Devils Lake Cemetery on Wednesday December 6, 2006 at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the First United Methodist Church (Fargo), the American Heart Association, the YWCA, or the charity of one’s choice.