Gary Wilbur Melin, 78

Gary Wilbur Melin, age 78, of Hallock, Minn., passed away peacefully, at home, with his loving wife by his side on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, after a courageous cancer battle.
Gary was born on Aug. 1, 1947, in Hallock, the son of Wilbur and Ella (Lindstrom) Melin. He attended Hallock High School, where he played football and hockey and graduated with the Class of 1965. After high school, he attended Moorhead State University, graduating in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in business. Post graduation, Gary was drafted into the U.S. Army; however, after the death of his father, he was discharged as he was an only child/only son. He returned to Hallock and assisted his mother with the family furniture store business, “Melin Inc.” Gary married Janelle Jacobson in Greenbush, Minn., and they had three children, Kirsten, Gregory and Britt.
Gary switched from selling furniture to selling insurance for AAL, and in his later years was a truck driver with Trans-Systems. Gary always said he drove “days,” even though he started at 2 a.m., and often had fun stories to tell about his driving adventures, especially during beet harvest. He loved to get on a call with Greg and have a good chat at night when they were both on the road, traveling for hours at a time. Gary worked at Trans-Systems until his retirement.
Gary met the love of his life and his best friend, Grace Mikolajczyk, at a New Year’s Eve party in 2002 at a friend’s house. Grace had to leave the party early to get to work at the local nursing home. Gary decided to call her there and see if she wanted to go out for dinner. They dated for many years and were united in marriage on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011, in front of family and friends. They shared many adventures, laughs and trips including a trip to Poznan, Poland, to visit Grace’s family. The language barrier between Grace’s brother and Gary didn’t stop him from cracking a joke or a beer with his new Polish family and creating cherished memories.
Gary will be remembered for his crazy dad jokes, his unique inventions, his many stories, his big hugs, his gift of gab, and his love for his country and everyday life.
He is survived by his loving wife of 14 years, Grace Melin of Hallock; children, Kirsten (Brett) Gjovik of Lakeville, Minn., Greg (Kelly) Melin of Trail, Minn., Britt Linder of Burnsville, Minn.; grandchildren, Max, Ella, and Weston Gjovik, Gerald, Oliver and Emmitt Melin, and Elsie Linder; brother-in-law, Jacek (Beata) Mikolajczyk of Poznan, Poland; nephews, Witold Mikolajczyk, Alexander (Sylvia) Mikolajczyk and Antoni Mikolajczyk, all of Poznan, Poland; great-nieces, Lena and Loni Mikolajczyk of Poznan, Poland; and many relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, a brother-in-law in infancy, and his best friend and cousin, Mike Melin.
A funeral service to celebrate Gary’s life was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, at Austin Funeral Home in Hallock. Visitation was one hour prior to the service. Pastor Galen Nordin officiated. Interment followed at Greenwood Cemetery, Hallock.
Austin Funeral Chapel, Hallock, was in charge of the arrangements. www. austinfuneralchapel.com.