Birth date: Mar 28, 1932 Death date: Jun 7, 2019
GOING HOME, GOING HOME, I'M JUST GOING HOME... Erling was born on March 28th, 1932 to Eldred and Clara Mellum in Ulen, Minnesota. He grew up in Tacoma and graduated from Stadium High School. After high school he enlisted in the Read Obituary
Erling was a wonderful principal for me at Grant. He was supportive, encouraging and so very easy to talk with. He was part of an era that no longer exists; where principals were not adversaries, but partners. I so miss that generation. I have since retired, but think fondly of my time with ” Mr. Mellum”. I wish I had known before now for I surely would have been at his service to honor him. Warm wishes to his family. He was one of a kind!
Diana Sailer
At Grant 1979- 2018
This picture is just the way I remember Erling….always a smile. A "gentle" man, a mentor, a colleague touching the lives of so many as an educator. It was my honor to work with him as a fellow Principal.
Blessings to the Mellum family. Kathy Bergman
Erling was my first principal as I began my teaching career in Tacoma schools. He had a calming personality as he guided me thru my first few years. I have fond memories of a wonderful mentor. RIP Erling. Blessings to the Mellum family
Joan Fabiani
I will always remember Erling as a fellow Manitou Elementary principal who cared deeply about his students and staff, and he always had that great smile and a warm handshake for all who met him. I also had the privilege of being the 5rh grade teacher for both of his sons, Mark and Mike, at Wainwright Elementary ln the 1970's. Our daughters also were classmates at Wainwright, and they were in Bluebirds together. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you in the Mellum family..He will be dearly missed, and his legacy lives on in all of his former students and staff members! Love, Mick Crosby
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All of my memories of my Uncle Erling are precious to me. From being a little girl, baby sitting my younger cousins, being a teenager and riding on his Matlock bus in the summer to pick berries, then becoming an adult and sharing at family reunions, laughing and singing, eating scandinavian foods,etc. Thanks for the memories Uncle Erling, you will be missed. Although I m so happy for u to b in Heaven with all who went b4 u. Hugs, Linda
