Melissa "Mel" Lynn Duhn (nee Shauer)

Melissa “Mel” Duhn (Shauer), 36, of Saint Paul, Minnesota, passed away on November 6, 2026, following a sudden illness.

Born in Waukesha, Wisconsin on June 6, 1990, Mel grew up in rural Lowry, Minnesota. She attended the University of Minnesota, earning a double major in Civil Engineering and English. While in college, she reconnected with high school friend Jesse Duhn of Long Beach, Minnesota. They married on May 26, 2012.

Following graduation, the two moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where Jesse served in the U.S. Navy. They enjoyed traveling together, visiting Turkey and Greece, and exploring Orlando theme parks where they often attended Mel's favorite event, Halloween Horror Nights. After Jesse left the Navy in 2015, they returned to the Twin Cities. Mel later earned a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Minnesota and spent seven years working in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry, most recently working as a Corporate Proposal Manager. Earlier in her career, she spent four years teaching high school math.

In October 2020, Mel and Jesse welcomed their daughter, Sylvia. Mel cherished motherhood and loved taking Sylvia on neighborhood walks and public outings, often babywearing her wherever they went.

Mel was creative and crafty, enjoying fiber arts, sewing, handbag making, pottery, and diamond art. She even entered a dress she made for Sylvia in the Minnesota State Fair.

She also treasured time at the family cabin north of Park Rapids, where she grew up fishing, boating, and four-wheeling. Creating new memories at the cabin with Jesse and Sylvia brought her great joy, especially watching Sylvia catch her first fish with Grandpa Dave during the summer of 2026.

Mel will be remembered for her wry sense of humor, intelligence, creativity, and willingness to help friends and neighbors.

Mel was preceded in death by her father, David Shauer; grandparents Douglas and Jean Shauer, Uncle Micheal Shauer and Uncle Steffen Pederson.

She is survived by her husband, Jesse Duhn; daughter, Sylvia Duhn; mother, Michelle (Pederson) Shauer; brother, Matthew Shauer; and grandparents Theodore and Phyllis Pederson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Keystone Community Services.