Melinda Kay (Gillund) Mcdowell

Services for Melinda will be on Friday, June 5, 2009, at 3:00 P.M. at Christ United Presbyterian Church in Marshall. Visitation will be held at the Hamilton Funeral Home on Thursday evening, June 4, from 5 to 8 P.M. with a prayer service beginning at 7:30. There will also be a visitation one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. Burial will be held at the Lynd City Cemetery at 9:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 6. Online condolences may be submitted at www.hamiltonfh.com.
Melinda died unexpectedly on Sunday, May 31, 2009, at her home in Marshall. She was being treated for pneumonia.
Melinda Kay Gillund was born on November 9, 1965, in Marshall, Minnesota, to Edgar and Frances (Kor) Gillund. She was baptized and confirmed at Christ United Presbyterian Church in Marshall. She grew up in Minneota and attended the public school, graduating in 1984. Melinda then joined the U.S. Army, where she proudly served 20 years, 8 months, and 3 days, achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class in the Military Police. She received many decorations, medals, badges, citations, and campaign ribbons. “Mad Dog McDowell” (a/k/a Melinda) did a tour of duty in Kuwait during Desert Storm. The last 6 years of her military career were spent at West Point training new cadets. She was honorably discharged on September 30, 2005. Melinda decided to return to the Marshall area to be near family and friends. She was most recently employed at the Marshall Post Office. She purchased her first house in 2007 and truly enjoyed having a place to call “her” home. In the short time of ownership, she hosted many family gatherings in her home. Melinda will be remembered as having a real zest for life! Anyone who knew her soon realized how fun-loving she was. She was the first girl to play on the Minneota boys baseball team, proving to be a real tomboy. She took pride in serving her country which was reflected by her being a member of the American Legion, VFW, and Elks Club.
She is survived by her parents, Edgar and Frances Gillund of Marshall; siblings, Daryl (Julie) Gillund of Alexandria, MN; Jeff Gillund (Meri Jo Knuston) of Maynard, MN; Rick Gillund of Cedar Rapids, IA; and Valerie (Ronald) Vlaminck of Taunton, MN; nieces and nephews, Stephanie, Keith and Erika Vlaminck, Megan Hardesty, Natalie and Sam Gillund, and Jeremy Knutson; grandmother, Katie Kor of Marshall, MN; and aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.
Melinda was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Henry and Clara Gillund, and by her maternal grandfather, Jans Kor.
We will remember Melinda for her humor, laughter and entertaining stories. There will be a huge void without her. She will truly be missed by many! One last thing she would want you each to remember: “You know I love you dearly!”