Melba L. Toivonen of Gheen, passed away Nov. 27, 2021, at the Cook Care Center, in Cook, at the age of 100 years and 8 months.

Melba was born in 1921 in the township of Whiteford in Marshall County, Minn., to Jacob and Elline (Kleven) Anderson. Melba was one of twin girls. Melba said they were so small, they were kept in shoeboxes for a long time. Her father ran logging operations, so they traveled extensively from one logging town to another in northern Minnesota, finally ending up in Cusson. There, Melba met and married Andy Laine of Myrtle Lake. Unfortunately, a few years later Andy was killed in a car accident. Melba then married Karl Toivonen of Orr. They lived in the Cook-Orr area for several years. Then they moved to Oregon where they lived for many years. Then they returned to this area and worked for Dr. Grahek at his resort in Ely. Melba often talked Norwegian to Fritz (Walter) Mondale (presidential hopeful) when he was a guest of Dr. Grahek. When they finally decided to retire, Karl and Melba moved a trailer house to Gheen next to Melba's older sister, Alvina, who also had a trailer there situated on the property of Shirley and Ernie Lund. Once settled, Melba began cooking and baking and she baked and cooked till she moved into the Cook Care Center, where THEY did the cooking and baking and took wonderful care of her for the rest of her life.

Melba is survived by her son, Andy Laine of Oregon; her daughters: Karen Halliday and Tessie Lempke, both of Bloomington, and Glenda Brekke of Mora; two nieces: Joanne Stewart of Homosassa, Fla., and Beverley Johnson of Minneapolis; many, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Andy Laine; her second husband, Karl Toivonen; her sisters: Alvina Rooney and Edna Anderson; two brothers: Gilmer and Albert Anderson; two sons: Thomas and Charles Toivonen; two nephews: Ernie Lund and Gerald Anderson; two nieces: Elaine McGunnigle and Margaret Narum.

There will be no services in accordance with Melba's wishes.