Melanie Carpenter, 71, of Oslo, MN, died on Saturday, July 11, 2020, in Valley senior Living, Grand Forks, ND.

Melanie Kay Bork was born on June 19, 1949, in Vancouver, Washington. Her parents, Robert and Juanita (Hanson), had moved to the coast to follow a job- in addition to her father's pursuit of a career as a musician. The family moved to Park River, ND, and Mel attended public school. The family moved again in 1965 to Oslo, MN, where Mel Graduated from high school in 1967. On August 5, 1968, Melanie was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Robert “Bob” Carpenter.

The young couple stayed in Oslo, where they would raise their three children. While the kids were young, Mel stayed home. She later worked at Oslo High School, Home of Economy, and finally as a Paraprofessional at WAO School. She was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Oslo, was active with the local WELCA and Booster clubs, and donated many hours to the high school band.

From the time she was in school herself, Mel loved to play the trumpet. This love never died, and she would even play with the Pep Band while her children were in sports. She was always sporty, too, seldom missing a chance to offer advice (wanted or not) on your form or the rules. Mel was proud of the fact that she was the only woman on her women’s softball team who could drive a ball over the fence.

She enjoyed bird watching (especially hummingbirds); playing cards with her grandchildren and her friend, Marion; watching all her children's and grandchildren's sporting events over the years; and teaching her dog, Pooh, new tricks to entertain her family and friends. In her “golden years” Mel continued to enjoy fishing with her daughter in Alaska. In typical fashion, she even landed a 67-pound Ling Cod, which was a nearly-record catch at the time.

Mel is survived by her children, Benjamin R. (Jerilee) Carpenter of Argusville, ND, Dennis A. (Angie) Carpenter of East Grand Forks, MN, and Rebecca L. (Joseph) Saelens of Chugiak, AK; nine grandchildren, Lexi, Brock, and Cole Carpenter, Halle, Drew, and Kayla Carpenter, and Becca (Frankie) Hyatt, Nick, and Sam Saelens; great-grandson, Damon Hyatt; and siblings, Bruce, James, and Jeff (Raanne) Bork, Lisa Schafer, and Lara Cunningham.

In addition to her husband, Bob, who passed away on November 29, 2013; Melanie was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, BJ and Christopher.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Monday, July 20, 2020, at 10:30 AM, in Riverside Cemetery (dry side), Oslo, MN.
NOTE: Please bring your own chair if desired. In the case of inclement weather, the service will be moved to Zion Lutheran Church, Oslo.

VISITATION: One hour prior.
INTERMENT: August 2020, in Riverside Cemetery, Oslo.

To watch the video of Melanie's funeral service, click on the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/165181363494299/videos/578041509548305