Merrlyn D. Meland

Merrlyn Ruff Meland, 95, passed away on Friday, June 26, 2026.

Merrlyn was born on November 17, 1930, in Fredonia, ND to Pauline and Edward Ruff. She graduated from Lehr High School, Lehr, ND. She then graduated from Ellendale Teachers College. Merrlyn taught school north of Lehr for several years.

Merrlyn moved to Fargo, ND, to work as a secretary and in the evenings went to Interstate Business College. She worked at Dakota Electric, Hooper Holmes and Lloyds Limited Ins. She also volunteered at Hope Lutheran Church in Fargo for many years.

December 1, 1952, Merrlyn married Wallace Meland, in Moorhead, MN. They had four children.

She is survived by her children, Steven Meland, Moorhead, Dianne, Peggy Crandall, Fargo, ND, and David Meland, Moorhead; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, brother, Darrell (Etala) Ruff; sister, Carol (Roger) Azzam; and many nieces and nephews which she cherished.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wallace Meland; parents, Edward and Pauline Ruff; sisters, Arlene Joyce Ruff and Idella Schott Wilson; brother, Larry Ruff; brothers-in-law, Clifford Schott, Wayne Wilson, and Marvin Mayer; sister-in-law, Sharon Ruff; son-in-law, Robert Crandall; and daughter-in-law, Kathy Meland.

Merrlyn’s funeral service will be Friday, July 3, 2026, at 10 AM with a visitation one hour prior, in Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, MN. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Moorhead, MN.