Vera L. Melstrand

Vera Lydia Melstrand, 97, formerly of Amsterdam Valley, rural Holmen, passed away on Friday, January 31, 2020.  She was born December 23, 1922, to John and Mary (Kunnerth) Starch and grew up in Chipmunk Coulee, near Stoddard, Wis.

Vera worked for Cutler-Hammer in the Milwaukee area before her marriage to John E. Melstrand in 1944.  They moved to his dairy farm in Mason, Wisconsin.  In 1957, they moved to Holmen where they continued dairy farming and began truck farming with her father and mother.  They raised melons, tomatoes, strawberries, sweet corn, onions, and grapes, among other crops.

Vera was a member of New Amsterdam Presbyterian Church.  She was active in 4-H, Ladies Aid and Homemaker’s.

She is survived by sons, Orlin and Merlin; daughter, Ruby Whittaker; grandson, Casey; great grandchildren, Nico and Coco; and nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband, John; brothers, Paul and Cyrus Starch; and sister, Sylvia Gartung.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 8 ^th , at New Amsterdam Presbyterian Church, N7283 John St., Holmen, with Rev. Allen Hanson officiating.  A reception will follow the service at the church