Evelyn Renstrom

Evelyn Marlene (Melby) Renstrom passed away at the Broen Home in Fergus Falls on November 2, 2026, at the age of 95.

On August 9, 1931, Evelyn was born in Dalton, Minnesota to Ralph and Mabel Melby, the oldest of 9 children. She grew up in the Dalton area graduating from Washington High School in Fergus Falls in 1949. After completing teacher training in Fergus Falls, she taught at local country schools until 1957.

While in teacher training, Evelyn met her future husband at Runningen Cafe. She married Roland Renstrom on August 31, 1952, at Zion Lutheran Church in Dalton. They farmed south of Erdahl where they raised their 3 daughters. In 1982, after years of milking cows and doing farm chores, Evelyn began working as an HST at the Regional Treatment Center in Fergus Falls, where she worked until her retirement in 1996.

Once retired, Evelyn and Roland kept busy going to auction sales, raising pheasants, and gardening. Following Roland’s death in 2007, Evelyn moved to Elbow Lake where she resided until 2022. She was active in the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, study club, and was a volunteer at Bargain Bazaar. She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake.

Evelyn was a proficient baker making delicious cinnamon rolls, fresh breads, and other baked goods. Through the years she canned, preserved, and froze an immense amount of fresh produce. She enjoyed growing beautiful flowers. She was an avid reader. Seeing her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren grow was the highlight of her life.

Evelyn is survived by daughters: Cindy (Jerry) Schmidt of Fergus Falls, Patty of Barnesville, and Vickie (Larry) Kuchta of Canby; grandchildren: Sharon (Matthew) Friend of Concord, NC, Amanda (Jared) Baldwin of Osseo, WI, Bradley (Becky) Schmidt of Fergus Falls, Emery (Deanna) Sletto of Brandon, Ross Kuchta of Canby, Kevin (Stephanie) Schmidt of Fergus Falls, Wade (Kaylee) Kuchta of Canby, Jeffrey (Emily) Schmidt of Fort Collins, CO, Byron Sletto of Horace, ND; and 19 great grandchildren. She is also survived by 7 siblings: Kathryn Rorvig of Fergus Falls and Arizona, Margaret Hanson of Fergus Falls, Luther Melby of Fergus Falls, Dodie (John) Halvorson of Dalton, David Melby of North Branch, Laurie Jensen of Dalton, Jim (Rhonda) Melby of Minnetonka; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Roland, an infant daughter, parents Ralph and Mabel Melby, brother Ernest Melby, and several siblings-in law.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, November 5, 2026, at Bethlehem/West Elbow Lake Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake.

Visitation will be Wednesday, November 4, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, and resuming one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial at Union Cemetery, Elbow Lake.

Arrangements by Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Elbow Lake.