Remembering Kenneth Mellem

Kenneth L. Mellem, 66, of Eden Prairie, Minn. and Largo, Fla., died June 26 in Edina after a short illness following complications from leukemia therapy.

Ken was born March 17, 1944, in Grand Forks to Walter and Esther Mellem. Ken spent his business career in the computer industry in marketing and management at Control Data Corp for 23 years. Ken had a long association with the UND. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of Business and Public Administration (CoBPA)in 1966 and his master’s in 1968.

He suggested and participated in the development of several new programs during his association with CoBPA, particularly the executive in residence at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, where he taught a course for each of the last eight years, and the annual Mellem Business Symposium held on the UND Campus. The symposium was designed in honor of Ken and his wife JoAnn by his good friend J.R. Kirkland. Ken served three terms on the CoBPA Advisory Council and was offered emeritus status for his many contributions to the college. He was serving on the Board of Directors for the UND Alumni Association and Foundation. He was a long-time member of the Edina Country Club and the Bayou Club in Florida, where he is the current club champion. He is survived by wife JoAnn, son Steven, daughter Suzanne (Drew) Bergstrom, grandson Evan and brother Jim (Kendall) Mellem. Memorials preferred to the UND Foundation, Mellem Business Symposium.

— Courtesy of the Grand Forks Herald.