Eldora Melaas, 90, of Maddock, ND, passed away Friday, November 27, 2015 at the Trinity Medical Center in Minot, ND. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00PM Friday, December 4, 2015 at the North Viking Lutheran Church in Maddock, ND with Pastor Allen Campbell officiating. Music will be provided by Sheila Erickson.

Eldora Minerva Waagen was born July 29, 1925 to Milton and Eline (Antonsen) Waagen on the family farmstead in rural Maddock, ND. After graduating from the BCATS at Maddock in 1942, she was employed at the Benson County Court House in Minnewaukan, ND. Eldora married Leonard Melaas on October 22, 1948 at the St. Peters Church in Minnewaukan, ND. They lived on the Melaas farm Northeast of Maddock, ND. She took care of her mother before her passing in February of 1949 and then went on to raise her family of six children.

Eldora worked at the Maddock Moeller Home for six years. When Eldora lost her hearing completely, she attended the School for the Deaf in Devils Lake, ND. While living in Devils Lake, she worked in the kitchen at the Lutheran Home. Leonard and Eldora moved to Fergus Falls, MN for a few months where they worked at her brother's hotel. They moved back to the farm by Maddock, ND. At the age of 77, Eldora received a cochlear ear implant after being deaf for over 30 years. Leonard passed away in 2006. Eldora continued to live in an apartment in Maddock until moving to the Maddock Memorial Home.

She enjoyed crocheting, quilting, baking, gardening, having dolls and also taught herself how to play the piano. Eldora was fluent in Norwegian and liked to correspond with family and friends in the United States and Norway. She was very proud of her Norwegian heritage and was fond of her genealogy. Eldora was an outstanding baker and loved to host get togethers. She was a die-hard Minnesota Twins fan.

Eldora is survived by her six children: Marvin, David and Loren (Charlene) of Maddock, ND, Robert of Walhalla, ND, Gloria (Harlen) Witt of LaMoure, ND and Elaine (David) Koble of West Fargo, ND; 9 grandchildren and 7 step grandchildren: Jarrod (Jeannen) Hanson, Heather Hanson, Lucas Melaas, Brian (Tera) Melaas, Lyman (Skyla) Melaas, Leon Melaas, Ellie Melaas, Christine Melaas, James (Crystal) Melaas, Thomas (Dawn) Koble, Daniel (Hannah) Koble, Jonathan Koble, David Koble, Charla (Todd) Harig, Leslie Witt and David (Paula) Witt; 15 great grandchildren and 10 step great grandchildren: KayLee Hanson, Kayla Melaas, Matthew Ness, Micheal Ness, Lucas (LJ) Melaas, Erika Melaas, Elyce Dacoteau, McKenzie Melaas, Ethan Melaas, Bryce Melaas, Emily Koble, Cadence Koble, Abigayle Koble, Ian Melaas, Nadia Melaas, Micah Melaas, Zander Melaas, Lyla Melaas, Travis Witt, Kennedy Witt, Lynnae Witt, Miranda Witt, Trysten Lang, Caitlyn Lang and Loryn Lang and a step great great grandson, Gannon; sisters-in-law Joan Waagen and Thea Waagen.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard; her parents; brothers, Arden, Elmo and Gordon Waagen; sister Lillian Togstad and baby sisters Thelma and Hazel; step great granddaughter, Ericka Faith Koble.