Gordon Edgar Mell, 97, of West Salem, died Saturday, June 11, 2016, at Mulder Health Care Facility, West Salem.
He was born on Aug. 22, 1918, in Jamestown, N.D., to Edgar and Libbie (Carter) Mell. Gordon’s parents and baby sister, Elizabeth, died in a car/train accident in July 1929. He then went to live with his uncle, Joseph Carter.
Gordon served in the U.S. Navy from 1941 until 1945 and was stationed on the U.S.S. Winooski. On Oct. 10, 1941, he married Audrey Murphy in Jamestown, N.D. When he returned from the service, Gordon worked for the JC Penney Co., in Jamestown, N.D. He eventually was transferred to Spooner, Wis. In 1967, he bought the Coast to Coast Store in Zumbrota, Minn., and moved the family there.
In 1987, Gordie and Audrey retired to Sun Lakes, Ariz., where they lived for 22 years until moving back to Minnesota and finally to West Salem Wis.
Gordie was a member of Kiwanis for many years and served on the Sun Lakes Community Board for eight years.
Gordie is survived by his wife, Audrey; three children, Renee (Bill) Transburg of West Salem; Randall (Mary) Mell of Caledonia, Minn.; and Rodney (Deb) Mell of Rochester, Minn; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings.
A memorial service was held at Hope Community Church in West Salem, Wis., on Tuesday, June 14 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the United Methodist Church of Sun Lakes, Ariz., or the charity of your choice. Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Home, Jostad Chapel, West Salem, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be sent at www.jandtfredrickson.com.