Melcolm "Mel" Nygaard

Due to internet issues, Mel's Memorial Service will not be livestreamed today but it will be recorded and uploaded as soon as possible. 

Melcolm “Mel” Aaron Nygaard was born September 26, 1943, in Williston, ND, to Melvin and Alma (Lerbakken) Nygaard. Mel was raised in Alamo, ND, and graduated from high school in Grenora, ND. 

Mel entered the US Air Force on September 19, 1961, and served as a radar technician in Finland, MN, and Wadena, MN, and was honorably discharged on September 17, 1965. Mel was united in marriage to Ardis Matthes June 12, 1965, and they had five children together.

Mel and Ardis made their home in Grenora, ND, Crosby, ND, Dilworth, MN, and eventually Moorhead, MN. While living in Grenora and Crosby, Mel had his own TV shop. Mel was a Medical Emergency Instructor from 1979 to 1989, at Moorhead Tech. 

Mel was probably best known for owning and operating The Haunted Farm at their home south of Moorhead, from 1990 to the present. He enjoyed meeting and visiting the many people that came through The Haunted Farm. 

Mel died Thursday, July 4, 2024, at his home under hospice care as well as his family, at eighty years of age.

Mel is survived by his wife, Ardis; children, Toni (Jeff) Rimpila, Tammy Nash, Dale (Paula), Pat (Annette), and Jennifer (Michael) Price; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister, Yolanda Bittner; brother, Alton (Cleo) Nygaard; brothers-in-law, Don (Rosemary) Sundhagen, Charles (Darlene) Matthes, and Maynard Matthes; sisters-in-law, Mila Nygaard, Bonnie Berglund, and Marlene (Larry) Bergseth; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Alma Nygaard; sister, Pam Sundhagen; brothers, Kevin and Sylvan; brothers-in-law, Kevin Rosenquist, and Dale Bittner; and his father and mother-in-law, Ralph and Vera (Thompson) Matthes.

A Life Celebration service for Mel will be Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 11 AM, in Hoff Lutheran Church, Rustad, MN.  

Burial, with full military honors, will be in Moorhead Memorial Gardens.

Memorials are preferred to CCRI of Moorhead; 2903 15th St S, Moorhead, MN 56560