Phyllis Melvey

Phyllis' service can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/840132510

Phyllis' tribute video may be viewed here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/Z52WQQ67JJX3QY67

Phyllis Joan (Morben) Melvey died on May 3, 2023, at Banner Dell E. Webb Hospital in Suncity West, Arizona. She was born on August 18, 1927. Phyllis was an amazing role model of how to live, love and laugh for all of her 95 years. She deeply loved her family, her many friends, and her active and busy lifestyle in both Fargo, North Dakota, and Sun City West, Arizona.

Phyllis was born and raised in Barnesville, Minnesota. She attended Moorhead State School of Teaching, where she met her husband of 67 years. She and Glenn Melvey married on August 31, 1951. They raised their four children in Fargo. In the 1990’s they became snowbirds in Sun City West, Arizona, and after Glenn’s death in 2018, Phyllis moved permanently to Arizona.

Phyllis loved the Fargo-Moorhead area. She taught physical education in the Fargo School System and at Shanley before starting a family. During the fifty-eight years she and Glenn lived in Fargo, she made many contributions to the Fargo Area, including serving on the Fargo Park Board for several years. They were both active members of First Lutheran Church and strong NDSU Bison supporters.

She loved sports of all kinds, but her greatest love was golf. She enjoyed Edgewood and Fargo Country Club (often jumping around to open holes as patience was not a strong virtue). She cherished all of her years of golf, cards, and tennis with great friends in Fargo.

For the last 30 years, Phyllis was an active member of Briarwood Country Club, where she developed so many wonderful friendships. She played golf in the Ladies 18 Hole Golf Association and loved her time at the 19th hole after golf, where she could tell stories and share laughs with her golf buddies. Phyllis was instrumental in developing two sets of forward tees on the Briarwood Golf Course, which allowed members to enjoy the game at a new level; the “Melvey Tees” are a tribute to Phyllis and her impact at Briarwood.

Phyllis is survived by her four children and their spouses: Linda (Bob) Perdaems; Jay (Darcy) Melvey, Ann (Butch) McConn; Paul (Sarah) Melvey; ten grandchildren: Brock (Melissa) Torfin; Sara (Nate) Daniels, Blake (Alyssa)Torfin, Heather Melvey, Brittany (Marcus Boedigheimer) Melvey, Brad McConn, Suzanne McConn, Russell Melvey, Samuel Melvey, Truett Melvey; and seven great-grandchildren: Ayla Torfin, Anders Daniels, Nora Daniels, Corbin Torfin, Briggs Torfin, Banks Torfin, Bryelle Boedigheimer.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn; granddaughter, Lindsey Melvey; her parents, Ralph and Linda Morben and her much-loved brother, Ralph Morben.

Phyllis Melvey was a wonderful woman who was dearly loved by her family and many friends. She made a very positive difference in the lives of others, the communities in which she lived, and her beloved Briarwood Country Club.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 11 a.m., at First Lutheran Church, Fargo. Visitation will be one hour prior. Burial will be at Fargo National Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held on November 15 at Briarwood Country Club in Sun City West, AZ.

Memorials preferred to North Dakota State University student athlete scholars at ndsufoundation.com (select "Other" and add Glenn and Phyllis Melvey Scholarship Fund). Or the Briarwood Country Club Legacy.