Virginia Lee (Ballard) Melin passed away October 26, 2019 at Sophie’s Manor in Centuria, WI from Alzheimers Disease. 

She was born on November 14, 1935 to Reuben and Luella (Waldo) Ballard in Reinbeck, Iowa. Virginia grew up in Reinbeck and graduated from Reinbeck High School with the class of 1953. After graduation she worked as a teacher’s aide in the Reinbeck Elementary School. Virginia was united in marriage to F. Rudolph Melin in Frederic, WI on May 14, 1959. They made their home on the Melin family farm near Atlas, WI where they raised their two children, Karrie and David. Virginia was a homemaker and a dairy farmer’s wife.  

Virginia loved spending time with her family and friends and enjoyed hosting many large Melin family gatherings, as well as her family and friends from Iowa when they visited. She enjoyed attending her children’s activities and served as 4-H leader for the Laketown 4-H Club. She was an active member of the Atlas United Methodist Church until she was unable to attend. She was a member of the ladies aide, the church council, and served as a Sunday school teacher. Virginia loved children and her grandchildren were truly the delight in her life. She enjoyed spending time with them and attending as many of their school, 4-H, and sporting events as possible. 

Virginia is survived by her daughter, Karrie Melin Swenson and husband Steve; son, David Melin and wife Julie; birth son, Steven Anderson and wife Barb; grandchildren, Nate Melin and wife Kelsey, Hannah Melin, Abby Swanson and husband Kyle, Erik Swenson, Eric Anderson and wife Becca, Jill Brown and husband Tom; great-grandchildren, Axel, Pearl, Luella and Rudy Melin, Roger Swanson, Connor Anderson and Paige Brown; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Irene Ballard, John and Millie Lundgren, Charles Melin; and nieces and nephews. 

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Rudy; sister, Pauline; brothers, Richard and William; nephew, Curt Ballard; and niece, Judy Claussen. 

The family would like to thank Virginia’s caregivers at Sophie’s Manor, Comforts of Home at St. Croix Falls, Christian Community Home, and the staff of St. Croix Hospice. 

Memorial services will be held at Atlas United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 2nd – visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home

Last Update: Oct 29, 2019 12:27 pm CDT