Melinda Berkeland

Melinda Rae Berkeland, 68, of Lake City, passed away Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at her home surrounded by family.  Melinda was a lifelong educator and musician and touched the lives of many through these gifts. She laughed easily and often and was a gracious and generous hostess at many parties and family events.
She was born April 9, 1955, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Raymond and Virginia (Tayler) Morris. Melinda attended Des Moines Public Schools, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1973. She continued her education at Luther College  (BA 1977) and American University (M Ed 1985).  
Melinda married Luther Berkeland in Lake City on August 20, 1988.  At that point she left her teaching career in St. Paul Public Schools and started teaching in Red Wing Public Schools, retiring in 2013.  
Luther and Melinda loved to travel and after retirement were fortunate enough to cross-off most of the trips on their “bucket list.”
Melinda is survived by her husband; two daughters, Emily (Logan) Van Scoyk of Woodbury and Andrea Berkeland of Madison, Wis.; her father, Ray Morris, of Chisago City; and one brother, Russell (Diane) Morris of Lindstrom.  She was preceded  in death by her mother. She is also survived by several nieces and cousins and her favorite dog, Stella.
Melinda was a member of First Lutheran Church in Lake City where her memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 29, with Pastor Paul Miller officiating.  Luncheon to follow.
Inurnment will be at a later date in the First Lutheran columbarium.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Mayo Clinic (metastatic uveal melanoma cancer research) or First Lutheran Music Fund.