Melanie O'Keefe

Melanie Ann O’Keefe (Fuller), 63, of Verndale, MN 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.

Born in Wadena, MN to Melvin and Marian Fuller, Melanie 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 eventually getting 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, MN 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, brother David (Pam) Fuller, children Michael O’Keefe, Kevin (Amber) O’Keefe, and Maggie (Seth) Auger, and grandchildren Brooke, Molly, and Jolene O’Keefe, and Micah Auger.

She is preceded in death by her father, Melvin, and 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.

There will be a Visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 1 p.m., Monday, June 6, at Motley Free Church.