Melissa J. Nordlie

To view a recording of Melissa's funeral service, click the following link, https://youtu.be/dL-c1TkcJDY 

Melissa Jane Nordlie was born May 24, 1962 in Grand Forks, the daughter of Robert and Sally (Christianson) Nordlie. She was raised and educated in Grand Forks and graduated from Central High School in 1980. Melissa graduated from the University of North Dakota with a psychology major and music minor, then began working as an administrative assistant at Schoen and Associates in Grand Forks. She later worked in the Grand Forks mayor’s office under Pat Owens, and as a counselor at the Grand Forks Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC).

 Melissa was a talented musician, and played many musical instruments including the piano, bassoon, and flute. She accompanied several musical groups in the area, and was a member of the Thursday Music Club. She had a strong interest in politics and social justice issues. She deeply loved animals, especially dogs. 

Survivors include her mother, Sally Nordlie, Grand Forks; siblings, John Nordlie, Grand Forks, and Margaret (Al) Gibson, Aberdeen, SD; aunts Susan Christianson, Marilyn Christianson, Mary Jo Christianson, Esther Nordlie and Mary Carlson; uncle Frank Nordlie; and several cousins.

 Melissa was preceded in death by her father, Robert; her grandparents Mae and Milton Christianson and Myrtle and Conrad Nordlie; aunts Judy Christianson, Marliynn Krekelberg and Meg Nordlie; uncles Leonard and Ed Christianson, Paul Nordlie and Gil Carlson; and a cousin, Tom Christianson. She was also preceded in death by her special canine companion, Winston.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Friday, July 19, 2024 at Amundson Funeral Home of Grand Forks. Visitation will be for the hour before the service in the funeral home. Burial will be in Memorial Park North Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.

 In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that memorials be made to American Humane (www.americanhumane.org), or the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) (www.nami.org).