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Perry Melstrom

Celebration of Life

2:00pm - 6:00pm
Saturday, August 5, 2023
Zion Covenant Church
210 N. Beulah St.
Ellsworth WI, 54011

Perry Edward Melstrom, age 90, lifelong resident of Ellsworth, WI, passed away May 24, 2023 at the Plum City Care Center.  Perry was born January 14, 1933 in Trimbelle Township to Edward and Ollie (Whipple) Melstrom.  He joined the Army in 1954 and was honorably discharged in 1956.  He was stationed in Okinawa for a while.  On July 3, 1959, Perry was united in marriage to Dorene Olson at the First Covenant Church in River Falls.  They were married for 61 years before his wife’s passing in December 2020. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Gregg and Ruth.

Perry started Melstrom Towing in 1962 and ran it for 38 years retiring in 2000. During that time, he also owned and operated Standard Oil/Amoco service station from 1958 to 1985. He continued his vehicle service and towing business long after the sale of the gas station from his home.

Perry was an avid angler spent a lot of his time at Balsam/Bone Lake. He would be the one to catch the biggest fish even when someone sat next to him. Family always referred the fish they caught themselves as Perry’s throwbacks because he was fussy what size he would keep. He fished everything from Pan fish to Northern or Musky and caught many trophy sized. Perry and his wife had spent many a years at their camper on Bone Lake, later buying a trailer near Balsam Lake. He loved spending time outside as often as he could. He did not rest for very long but always had time for 3pm break time to have some coffee and dessert.

Perry was also an avid coin collector. If there was any coin he had or got, he would sort and save them to go in specific coin books. He saved many types of coins and did this for many years.

Perry loved cars; he was in the Ellsworth demolition derby for many years and even won several including the first derby. He also won the derby for the older generation category. He towed for the derby and enjoyed every minute. He loved the Pierce County Fair and did his best to never miss it.

His favorite time was spending it with family and friends especially his children and grandchildren. No matter how many hours he worked always-made time for them and their activities. Many kids would refer to him as Grandpa even if they were not related. Not sure how to word the last part but many kids would go up to Perry even they never met. Being an active member of his church Zion Covenant was also a big part of his life.

Perry will be remembered most for his willingness to help anyone out that needed it and did not matter what the reason was or what time it was. He was such a kindhearted man well liked and no matter where he went even out of state, he would bump into someone that knew him.

Perry will remain in the hearts of her son, Gregg (Lori) Melstrom of Florida; daughter, Ruth (Troy) Lawrence of Baldwin; grandchildren, Brady and Madison; brothers Dale (Mariann) Melstrom and Donald Melstrom; and many other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorene; his parents, Ed and Ollie Melstrom; sister, Betty Rosenow; brothers, Glen, Charles, Royce, Gary and Duane; nephews and other family members.

A Celebration of Life will be from 2:00pm to 6:00pm on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at Zion Covenant Church: 210 N Beulah St. Ellsworth, WI 54011. At 2:45pm Military Honors will be presented by Kinni-Engelhart American Legion Post #204. At 3:00pm there will be an opportunity to share memories.

Memorials are preferred to Ruth Lawrence; Perry Melstrom daughter.

Services are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ellsworth, www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com, (715) 273-4421

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One Response

  1. Perry was a wonderful man. Always kind and helpful. When he ran the station and I would drop my car off and he didn’t find a problem he would always tell me to turn my radio up and I wouldn’t hear the noise. It worked every time! RIP Perry. You will be missed

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