Born: 10 Oct 1854, Trysil, Hedmark, Norway
Married: 7 Nov 1875, Trysil, Hedmark, Norway
Died: 9 Nov 1949, Thief River Falls, Pennington co, MN
Buried: Wildwood cemetery, Rosewood, Marshall co, MN
Spouse: Pauline Persdtr
Parents: Tore Larsen Værlien, Elverum
Kersti Kristoffersdtr Torgalnup
Thief River Falls Times, 17 Nov 1949, p 24
Rosewood
This community wants to express their sincere sympathy to the bereaved Mellem family on the death of their aged father, Thorenus Mellem. He passed away at a Thief River Falls hospital on Wednesday afternoon at the ripe old age of 95. The funeral rites were held at the Rosewood Covenant Church on Friday afternoon with Rev. C.N. Ericson officiating. Pallbearers were Martin Swenson, Sam Oswald, Albert Lappegae, Selmer Haugen, Emil Hellquist and Victor Ranstrom and burial was made at the Wildwood cemetery of Rosewood.
Thief River Falls Times, 10 Nov 1949, p3
Rites Set Friday at Rosewood for Thorenus Mellum, Age 95 Years
Funeral rites will be conducted by Rev. C. Norman Ericson of Viking at the Rosewood Mission Covenant church Friday afternoon at 2 pm for Thorenus Mellum, 95, who has made his home on a farm near Rosewood the past 65 years.
Mr. Mellum, who has been confined at a local hospital for some time passed away Wednesday afternoon. He is survived by five daughters, two sons, 36 grandchildren, 56 great grandchildren and 9 great great grandchildren. A complete obituary will appear in next week’s issue of the Times.
Thief River Falls Times, 17 Nov 1949, p 4
Thorenus Mellem Laid to Rest at Rosewood Friday Afternoon
Rev. C. Norman Ericson of Viking conducted funeral services Friday afternoon at the Mission Covenant church at Rosewood for Thorenus Mellem, 95, who passed away at a local hospital on Nov 9. The body was laid to rest in the church cemetery.
Mr. Mellem was born Oct 10, 1854 in Trysil, Norway. He was married to Miss Pauline Pederson in Norway on Nov 16, 1875*, and immigrated to the United States in 1882, working as a farm hand at Fargo, ND until 1883 when they moved to New Solum township near Rosewood.
On Oct 9, 1949, Mr. Mellem observed his 95th birthday at the home of his son Emil at Rosewood. He has spent the past eleven years at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Carl Bloom at Rosewood.
He was a charter member of the Rosewood Covenant church of which he also served as treasurer 75 years. He was one of the organizers of the Rosewood school and served on its board for a number of years.
Survivors include six daughters, Mrs. Nick Bergvall of Texas; Mrs. Alfred Carlson of New York; Mrs Carl Larson of Spokane, WA; Mrs. John Berglund of Pontiac, Michigan; Mrs. Henning Backlund of Roseau and Mrs. Carl Bloom of Rosewood; 2 sons, Pete Mellem and Emil Mellem of Rosewood; 36 grandchildren; 56 great grandchildren and 9 great great grandchildren. His wife, two sons, and two daughters preceded him in death.
* Actual marriage date was 7 Nov 1875 as recorded in Trysil churchbook records.