Mary Anne Melter

Mary Anne "Midge" Melter passed away peacefully at home on Monday morning, June 9, 2025 at the age of 89 years. Born on April 11, 1936, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to John Bernard and Estelle (Liss) Czerwinski. Midge had one older brother, Frank Czerwinski. On May 23, 1959, Midge married the love of her life, Sergeant Bernard (Bernie) Russell Melter. Midge graduated with an Advanced Nurse's Aide degree at Dakota County Technical School and attended art school in California.

While Midge had various careers in her lifetime, supporting and caring for her family was her true vocation. She cherished being surrounded by her large family, especially during the holidays.

Midge was an active volunteer in the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of America. She received the Scouters Training Award, Scouters Key Award, Den Leader Certificate, Den Leader Coach Training Award, and Order of the Green Bank for the LeJeune/Onslow Scouting District. She was a round table leader in the East Carolina Council and developed the Den Chief Training Course.

Midge was a life member of the VFW Auxiliary and served as president and longtime treasurer. She was active as the Color Guard organizer, Poppy Chair, and Community Activity Chairperson. Midge won multiple National, Department, and District first place awards for her Poppy displays. She was a Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans and a member of the American Legion Post 142 Ladies Auxiliary Unit.

Midge and Bernie were board members at the Armed Forces Service Center and volunteered to greet traveling service members as they passed through the airport in Minneapolis. In her spare time, Midge enjoyed gardening, jigsaw puzzles, crocheting, drawing, and crafts. Following their retirement, Bernie and Midge took pleasure in exploring distant destinations and spending time with extended family members.

Midge was predeceased by her parents, brother, husband Bernard Russell Melter, son Scott Melter, and daughter Gail Grote. She is survived by sons Mark Melter and Frank (Jennifer) Melter, daughter Deanna (Paul) Grausam, and daughters-in-law Treva Melter and Tristen Smith. Midge is survived by 15 grandchildren and many beautiful great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Pius V Catholic Church on Saturday, June 28 at 11:00 am, with visitation from 10:00 am-11:00 am. This service will be live-streamed and available to watch below. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the mass, and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will provide a color guard to recognize her service. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery will occur at a later date.

LIVESTREAM INFORMATION: For those who would like to participate in Midge’s service via livestream, you can watch the service on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 11:00 am. It can be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of this page and click PLAY to begin. Please leave a message of support on our Tribute Wall to let the family know you were able to watch the service. If you are having troubles with the Livestream, the service will be available to watch later in the day.