MELVA DOHERTY, age 86, of Ellsworth, died Saturday, February 24, 2007, at the Sanford Hospital, in Luverne. Melva was born October 13, 1920, in Ellsworth, to Michael and Bertha (Eppers) Wagner. She attended school and graduated from St. Mary Catholic High School, in Ellsworth, in 1938. Melva received all seven Sacraments at St. Mary Catholic Church. She received her Teaching Certificate at Mankato Teachers College in 1940. Melva taught three years in rural school districts 90 & 39. She later worked for two years at a defense plant in Mare Island, CA. She then taught school for one more year at school district 90. Melva married Patrick Doherty on June 10, 1946, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Ellsworth. After their marriage, the couple farmed in the Ellsworth area. In 1950, they moved to Ellsworth. Melva began teaching first grade in Ellsworth in 1968 before retiring in 1980. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church; the WCCW; the Ellsworth Senior Citizens; and various card groups. Melva enjoyed bowling, sewing & playing cards. She quilted over three hundred quilts for missions & the homeless; and one for each of her grandchildren. Melva is survived by her seven children and their spouses, Patrick Jr. & Deanne Doherty, Zimmerman; Michael & Geneva Doherty, Conifer, CO; Kathleen & Jerry McKenzie, Ida Grove, IA; Dennis Doherty, Denver, CO; Joanne Ostrom, Faribault; John & Susan Doherty, Fargo, ND; and Tracy & Lisa Doherty, Marshall; twenty grandchildren, Casey, Ryan, Jason, Michael Jr., Kelly, Stacey, Trudy, Christopher, Matthew, Patrick, Christina, Shannon, Dylan, Brenna, Logan, Elliott, Jared, Jessica, Allan & Maria; fifteen great grandchildren; brother, Alfred Wagner, Glendale, AZ; sister, Lorraine (Francis) Van Anne, Fresno, CA; and a sister-in-law, Frances Wagner, Glendale, AZ. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Patrick, on February 28, 1993; and a brother, Walter Wagner.