Melanie O’Keefe

Melanie Ann (Fuller) O’Keefe, 63, of Verndale entered her eternal home in Heaven on June 2, 2022, surrounded by family after an inspiring battle with lung cancer. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandma, friend and so much more who will be greatly missed.

A memorial service was held Monday, June 6 at the Methodist Free Church in Motley. 

Melanie was born August 29, 1958 to Melvin and Marian Fuller in Wadena. She was raised on her family’s dairy farm south of Aldrich. She graduated from Staples High School in 1976, then attended Golden Valley Lutheran College for two years before receiving her bachelor’s degree for dental hygiene from the University of Minnesota.

She married her high school sweetheart, Steven O’Keefe, on August 16, 1986. The two started their lives together in St. Paul before moving back to Staples in 1991 and raising their three children in the community that raised them.

Her positive energy, loving personality and contagious smile was spread to everyone she crossed paths with, from family, to friends, to patients at the dental office, to absolute strangers. She adored everything life had to offer and she never wasted a minute. She loved biking, sewing, going on walks, spending time with her loved ones and serving the Lord through her church.

Melanie is survived by her caring husband, Steven; mother Marian Fuller; one brother, David (Pam) Fuller; two sons, Michael O’Keefe and Kevin (Amber) O’Keefe ;  one daughter, Maggie (Seth) Auger and four grandchildren, Brooke, Molly and Jolene O’Keefe and Micah Auger.

She is preceded in death by her father, Melvin and two brothers Jeff and Kevin Fuller. 

Her family and friends will miss her dearly, but can take comfort in knowing that she was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, her Savior and Lord, and that she may talk Him into being her new biking partner.

Arrangements were by the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Staples. 

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