Mrs. Maureen Katherine Dahle-Melsaether, age 63, of O'Fallon, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, October 12, 2005 at her home.

Maureen was born April 9, 1942 to Norbert M. and Katherine J. (nee Bull) Gallagher. Maureen served in the US Air Force from 1963-65 as a Registered Nurse. She married Ole Dahle-Melsaether on August 20, 1966 and was a devoted Air Force wife, lovingly supporting her husband throughout his 37-year military career. She volunteered her time with the American Red Cross, Officers' Wives Club, military Thrift Shops and Family Service organizations at various military bases. She also was a volunteer at the O'Fallon Public Library and sang in the Heathertones Choral Group at Scott AFB. She was a resident of O'Fallon since 1982 and was a parishioner at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir. Maureen owned and operated Advanced Office Services in O'Fallon from 1993-2000. She attended and recorded the minutes for the O'Fallon City Planning and Zoning Commission and the O'Fallon Library Board. She was a loyal fan of the St Louis Cardinals and formerly served as a Den Mother to her sons' Cub Scout Packs. Maureen loved to sing and enjoyed painting and reading.

Maureen was preceded in death by her husband, USAF Colonel Ole Dahle-Melsaether, who passed away January 25, 2001.

She is survived by her two sons, Lt Col Bryan (fiance' Major Jennifer Grant, USAF) Dahle-Melsaether, USAF and Major Mark Dahle-Melsaether, USAFR, Sr Engineer for HQ AFSPC, and daughter, Dawn Dahle-Melsaether, Business Manager, all of Colorado Springs, CO; two grandchildren, twins Jacob Ryan & Karleigh Anne Dahle-Melsaether; two brothers, Mike (Joan) Gallagher of Wilmington, OH and Tom (Margaret) Gallagher of St. Petersburg, FL; sister Patricia Gallagher of Rochester, IN and her beloved dog, Chance.

Memorial Donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 460 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141 or St. Vincent De Paul Society, 771 Vogel Place, E St Louis, IL 62205.

Visitation: 9:00 – 11:00 am, Monday, October 17, 2005 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in O'Fallon.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 am, Monday, October 17, 2005 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in O'Fallon, IL, with Monsignor William Hitpas presiding.