STOUGHTON - Irving James Melaas, age 98, passed away at home surrounded by family. Irving lived a healthy, happy and full life and was less than two months away from his 99th birthday. This past July, Irving and Betty celebrated 75 years of marriage.

Irving’s father instilled in him the thrill of aviation by taking him to Truax Field in Madison to watch airplanes take off and land. Irving later obtained his private pilot license, joined a local flying club and the family enjoyed many years of weekend flights to the various sights and towns across Wisconsin. Irving’s mother, Geda, passed the travel bug on to him. Irving was co-owner of Badger Builders in Stoughton which built basements. Due to freezing weather in the winter months, it was not possible to pour concrete. That’s when travel to warmer climates began. The family drove a station wagon to Florida, Texas, Arizona and Mexico. Irving and Betty believed travel was educational and would take their four girls out of school for two weeks at a time. Their first trip abroad was to Slinde, Norway, where they climbed a mountain to reach the Melaas Farm where Irving’s great-great-grandparents lived prior to immigrating to America in 1844. Following that, they spent two months in Torremolinos, Spain, every winter for nine years. During this time, many valued friendships were formed. They also enjoyed over 40 cruises throughout the world, including all seven continents. One cruise from their favorite city of Dubai to Cairo, required the protection of armed guards and mandatory blackouts at night due to pirates on the Red Sea.

Irving is survived by his wife, Betty; daughters, Susan (Jeff) Pundt, Mary Kluever and Teresa (Doug) Juve; son-in-law, Dennis Borman; grandchildren, Wade Pundt, Angela Borman, Lindsay (Collin) Gagnon, Sara (Joe) Frey, Kyle Juve and Garrett Kluever; and great-grandchildren, Aricia Pundt, Olivia Frey, Emmeline Frey, Artemis Gagnon and Auggie Gagnon. He was preceded in death by their daughter, Linda Borman, who sadly passed away in 2015; and brother, Francis Melaas.

A visitation will be held at COVENANT LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1525 N. Van Buren St., Stoughton, from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2025. A private family service will be held.

Memorials may be made in Irving’s memory to American Legion Post 59, 803 North Page St., Stoughton, WI 53589.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Stoughton
Funeral & Cremation Care
1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson St.
(608) 873-4590

Irving "Irv" J. Melaas

November 08, 1926 - September 20, 2025

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