Melvin H. Haven, 88, died peacefully at The Baltimore Street Care Home in Mesa, AZ on December 8, 2010 . Melvin was born on July 8, 1922, in a small farmhouse on the prairie of Eddy County, North Dakota, to Mathias and Nilla Haven, recent immigrants from Fitjar, Norway. He was the youngest of five - 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Mel was affectionately called “ lille bror” (Little Brother). He spent his early education years in a one-room rural school, completed his first year of high school through correspondence and graduated from Oak Grove Lutheran High School. Melvin served in the Army during WWII in the European theatre and was discharged with a rank of T-5. He later attended Augsburg College , taught school in Enderlin, North Dakota and then began farming near McHenry, ND. He lived on the farm the remainder of his life spending winters in Mesa, AZ.

Melvin was married to Shirley Lou Joy Ann Formo in 1947 and raised three children on the prairies of North Dakota. Mel served on the McHenry School Board, the local 4-H Council, the Sons of Norway and was an active member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church and American Lutheran Church . Melvin also loved woodworking and spent many hours building playhouses and working in his shop crafting Norwegian hope chests and other furniture. His faith was grounded early in life in the deep roots of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church. He made many trips to Norway during his lifetime which strengthened his ties to his family and his heritage.

Melvin was preceded in death by his wife Shirley Haven, his parents Matt and Nilla, brothers Rangvald and Clarence and sister Borghild. He is survived by his sister Clara Loge of St. Regis, Montana, daughter Linda Haven (Jorgen), sons Don Haven (Cindy) and David Haven (LeAnn), 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and countless friends and acquaintances around the country and the world.

Memorials may be given to Oak Grove Lutheran High School, Fargo, ND or The Anne Carlsen Center, Jamestown , ND or the charity of your choice.

Memorial Services will be held at American Lutheran Church, Tolna, North Dakota at 11 AM on Wednesday, December 29, 2010.   Visitation will be Tuesday, December 28, 2010 from 3PM to 5PM at the Cooperstown Funeral Chapel. 

Spring Interment - Gethsemane Lutheran Cemetery, Rural Tolna, ND