Melody Lynn (Raetz) Beland

MELODY LYNN (RAETZ) BELAND, age 59 of Owatonna died on Thursday, August 16, 2018 at her home.

Born on January 25, 1959 in Faribault, MN, she was the daughter of Gerald and Linda (Kiekenapp) Raetz.  Melody was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Faribault.   She attended Steele County School District #2118 in Meriden and graduated from Owatonna High School in 1977.  She married Denis Beland on November 24, 1979 in Baltic, SD.  She worked at Owatonna Tool Co. for a time before staying home and raising her children.  While at home, Melody planned home parties.  She later worked for Qwest before moving to Colorado for a time.  They returned to Owatonna in 1996 and moved into their Wildwood home.  Over the years, she traveled with her husband to Israel, New Zealand, Australia, France and most of the Western European countries.   She enjoyed painting, needlecrafts, paper crafting, traveling and animals.   She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Meriden and the local Communication Workers Union.

She is survived by her husband, Denis of Owatonna; three children, Luke Franklin Beland of Owatonna, Mark Denison (Teah) Beland of Owatonna and their children, Lydia and Nora; and Heidi Martha Beland of Meriden.   She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; aunts and uncles; and many other beloved family members.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 20, 2018 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Meriden.  Burial will follow at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery.   Visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until the time of the service at the church. 

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