Melissa Sue Thune

Melissa Thune, age 47, of Barnesville, MN, took her last breaths with her family surrounding her on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND after a courageous fight with brain cancer.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Monday, June 23, 2025, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Barnesville, MN with Rev. Ali Haugerud officiating. Burial will follow in City Cemetery, in Barnesville, MN.

Visitation will be from 4-7 PM, Sunday, June 22, 2025, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Barnesville, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the funeral service on Monday.

Melissa Sue (Ellefson) Thune was born August 15, 1977, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fargo, ND to Roger and Dianne (Ernst) Ellefson. She grew up on the farm in rural Barnesville and attended Barnesville Schools, graduating in the class of 1996. She then attended MState Community College in Moorhead graduating with an associate’s degree in medical administrative assistant.

Melissa met her husband Randy in high school, where they both played the alto saxophone. Melissa and Randy were married May 1, 1999, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Barnesville.

Melissa was baptized, confirmed, and married at Our Saviors Lutheran Church. She taught Sunday School, Bible School, and was a small group confirmation guide. She will always hold a special place in her heart for her confirmation small group. Melissa loved her church and her church family.

When Melissa was 16 years old, she was challenged with meningococcal meningitis. Due to the large doses of medicine her kidneys shut down. She did a small amount of time on dialysis before receiving the gift of life from her brother Brian on March 10, 1994. Melissa was truly blessed with good health for many years. She was forever thankful for her brother Brian for the gift of his kidney, her medical transplant team and her family.

Melissa started working at MeritCare Clinic on February 1, 2000, in OB/GYN as a receptionist. She also worked in Dermatology, Clinic Surgery, the Breast Clinic, and Utilization Management at Sanford. She really enjoyed working in the medical field, helping patients and most of all loved the friendships she made along the way.

Randy and Melissa adopted their beautiful children to complete their family in 2003 and 2005. Jorden and Evan were the absolute best thing that ever happened to Melissa. They were her everything. Melissa loved watching the kids show cattle, participate in 4-H, watching them in sports and watching them play their saxophones in the band. Music was important to Melissa. Melissa took advantage of every opportunity she got to attend an event the kids were part of. She was a proud loving mother.

Not only did Melissa gain two beautiful children when they adopted but a wonderful extended birth family whom she loved with all her heart. Kendra, Abby and Rob will forever hold a special place in Melissa’s heart for choosing her to be a mom to Jorden and Evan.

In Melissa’s spare time she enjoyed shopping, sewing, baking and scrapbooking. She loved helping the kids with their 4-H projects. She loved date nights with Randy and time spent with her family. She loved hosting holidays and having everyone gathered around the kitchen table.

Melissa was a Humbolt 4-Her growing up and was an adult leader of the Humbolt 4-H club for many years. Melissa also served as a Director for the Clay County Fairboard for many years. Melissa absolutely loved the Clay County Fair and the Minnesota State Fair, and all the memories made from her 4-H family. Melissa also loved growing up on the farm. She loved helping her brother Brent rake hay and make square bales. She loved her chickens and helping work the cattle.

Growing up going to Lake Lizzie with her family to a small lake cottage was the best. She loved the peacefulness of the lake, and the time spent at the lake with her family were some of her most cherished memories.

In 2020, Melissa and Randy opened Lakeside RV Park with Beth and Jeff Lavigne in Ottertail, MN on Long Lake. She also loved all the friends who quickly became family at the campground.

Melissa is thankful to everyone who touched her life during her journey. She taught so many people to never give up, life is beautiful, and everyday is a gift.

She is survived by her husband Randy Thune, a beautiful daughter Jorden (Jackson) Poepping, a wonderful son Evan Thune, mother Dianne Ellefson, Barnesville; two brothers who would do anything for their sister, Brian Ellefson and Brent Ellefson, one very special sister Cindy, all of Barnesville; mother in law Gayle Thune, brother and sister in law Rick and April Thune, the amazing extended family Kendra, Abby, and Rob, four very special Godchildren Caden, Shelby, Kason, and William; one special niece Saydi Hoff and one nephew Logan Thune, many very special cousins, aunts, uncles and so many wonderful friends who were like family.

Precededing Melissa in death is her dad Roger Ellefson, grandparents Gordon and Pearl Ellefson, and Roy and Pearl Ernst, father-in-law Roger Thune.