ELAINE (”Joni”) Marguerite Melby Hvidsten

Elaine married Winton Melby in 1946. After he passed away in 1994 she married Ralph Hvidsten.

Ske has one son James Clarence Mellby, who is dead, and another child.

Elaine (Joni) Peterson Melby Elaine (Joni) Peterson Melby

Elaine (Joni) Peterson Melby, age 95, passed away on March 19, 2019 in Mesa AZ. Joni was born in Staples, MN to Harry and Mary Peterson on September 26, 1923. She graduated from Staples High School and Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Joni was a high school Math teacher.

She married Winton Melby in 1946. They had 2 sons, James and Paul.

Joni and Winton loved to square dance and enjoyed weekly lessons and dances. Joni was an avid card player and liked to play games with family. One of her favorite memories was that of taking her 4 grandsons to Disney World.

Joni was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Staples and Victory Lutheran Church in Mesa. She also maintained her membership in the Order of Eastern Star.

Joni was preceded in death by her husband, Winton, son James, brothers John and Jim Peterson and sisters and brothers - in - law Lorraine (Allen) Gilman and Donna (Baxter) Nash.

Joni married Ralph Hvidsten in 2006. Ralph passed away January 10, 2019.

Survivors include her son, Paul and his wife, Becky; grandsons David Peak (Charity), Eric (Julie), Dirk (Mandy) and Joshua (Megan) Melby; great grandchildren Jordan and Kennedy Peak, and Zachary, Arianna, Tyeson, Caitlyn, Anna, Gwenyth, Amelia and Finnegan Melby. Joni is also survived by brother, Robert Peterson (Darla), sisters-in-law LaDonna Peterson, Joan Peterson and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at a later date.