Ann Melsted

Gudrun Anna Isfeld was born on February 4, 1917, to Steingrimur and Anna Katrin (Stephansdottir) of Gardar, ND. She grew up in the Icelandic community of Gardar and attended local schools. Ann graduated from Mayville State College with a Standard Teaching Certificate. Subsequently Ann taught in Pembina County.
In 1940 she married Lt. B. Theodore Olafson at Gardar, ND. That same year he was killed in an airplane crash at the University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks, while training for World War II.
Ann attended UND for two and a half years pursuing a career in accounting and she worked in this field until 1945.
On June 28, 1945, Ann married Bjorn Benedikt Melsted in Breckenridge, MN while he was on leave from the Navy. They moved to Wahpeton where Bjorn had accepted a position as an instructor at North Dakota State School of Science (NDSSS).
Upon moving to Wahpeton, Ann became involved in community activities. She was the first president of Newcomers Club, an organization for women who came to the community upon returning from military and defense activities as well as war brides and others who were trying to get on with their lives. This organization generated other social activities such as Study Club and Bridge Club.
Other activities included being an officer of Circle and Ladies Aid of Bethel Lutheran Church. She was also an officer in PTA in the Wahpeton School System. Ann was involved in Girl Scouts as a leader and was on the Council for years. She was a Past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star and on the governing board for Rainbow Girls. Ann also served a term as President of the Faculty Wives at NDSSS.
Ann resumed teaching and while teaching, she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Moorhead State University in 1969. She served as President of the Wahpeton Education Association.
Bjorn and Ann traveled widely both in the United States and in Europe, including Iceland, their native land. Ann retired in 1979 and spent lots of her time at their Ottertail Lake home as well as some winters in Arizona.
Ann enjoyed playing bridge, whist, and solitaire, reading Newsweek, tracking politics on MSNBC, and trips to Otter Tail Lake. She loved being at St. Francis Nursing Home in Breckenridge.
Ann is survived by her children Carol Anderson (husband Michael) of Spring Lake Park, MN and Stephan Melsted of Fargo, ND; grandchildren Christopher Anderson (fiancé Heidi Orcholski) of St. Paul, MN and Jennifer Anderson of Spring Lake Park, MN; brother-in-law Paul Bjorneby, Grand Forks, ND; and nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, husbands Theodore Olafson and Bjorn Melsted; sister, Kristin June Bjorneby, brother, Johann Sigurdur Isfeld (wife Mary Katherine).
Ann's family would like to thank the staff of St. Francis Healthcare Campus for the wonderful care she received since April 30, 2009. In lieu of flowers, please refer memorials to St. Francis Nursing Home.