Duane Mellinger

Duane Mellinger passed away peacefully April 17, 2017 surrounded by his family.A memorial service will be Monday, May 1, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Westside Methodist Church. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Duane was born in MacKenzie County, ND on March 4, 1934 to George R. Mellinger and Silver Mae (Young) Mellinger. He attended elementary at Crow School and graduated Simms High School in 1952. He worked at the Forest Service and on a farm in Brady. He was drafted in the Army in 1956, spent 2 years in Germany, returning home in 1958. He was then employed by Sun River Electric as a lineman. In the fall of 1958, he met the love of his life Betty Strauser and they married June of 1959. They resided in Fairfield until the spring of 1966, when they moved to Kingman, AZ where he was employed by Mojave Electric Co. He and his family moved back to Great Falls in the fall of 1966, where he was hired by Montana Power Co. He worked there until he retired in December 1996. After retiring, he and Betty traveled in their motor home and spent the winters in southern Texas.He was on the school board for Ulm and Cascade for 9 years and was also a volunteer fireman for Ulm. He was a 50 year member of IBEW Local 44 and held positions in the Local of Executive Board and Vice President. He participated and enjoyed many years at the Montana Linemans Rodeo. He loved horseshoes, golfing, fishing, camping and gardening.Duane was preceded in death by his parents, George and Silver; brothers Ross, Chadd, and Russell Mellinger; sisters Melva Cundiff, Sylvia Weaver, LaVoy Lynch, Jean Hanson, and Donna Mellinger; and passed away after his death, his sister Yvonne Mellinger.He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Betty Strauser Mellinger; brother George Rolland Mellinger; children Duane Lee (Kathy), Troy M. (Dawn), Steffani J. (Kevin) Lassila and Cynthia Mellinger; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.Memorials and donations can be sent to Peace Hospice (Benefis Foundation), P.O. Box 7008, Great Falls, MT 59406 or Linemans Rodeo, P.O. Box 4568, Butte, MT 59701.