A Celebration of Life service to honor the life and legacy of Melvin “Mel” Melzer, age 97, of Windom, formerly of Luverne, will be held at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom on Wednesday, July 23rd at 11:00 AM, with a time of visitation and gathering from 10:00 to 11:00 AM.
Mel Melzer passed away peacefully on July 2, 2025, at Windom Area Health in Windom.
Arrangements are under the care of the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center. Condolences and memories of Mel may be shared online at LaCanneFuneralHome.com
Melvin “Mel” Hugo Melzer was born on August 29, 1927, in Kensal, North Dakota, to Alfred and Bertha (Studtmann) Melzer. Mel completed school through the 8th grade and later served in the United States Army until he was honorably discharged.
On November 11, 1951, Mel married Bonita “Bunny” Derby. They were blessed with five children, Ronald, Sharon, Marlin, Vernon, and Larry. Through the years, the family resided in Pengilly, Minnesota, Elkton, South Dakota and Luverne, Minnesota. Mel worked as a butcher in each of those communities, a trade he learned growing up around his father’s butcher shop. In 1972, Mel took employment at the Luverne Creamery, after compressor complications forced Mel’s Locker Service to close. In 1977, Mel earned a boiler license and worked as a custodian for ten years at the Rock County Courthouse until he retired.
After retirement, Mel and Bunny enjoyed many sites throughout the United States travelling in their RV and twice travelled to Germany to visit Marlin. They later enjoyed winters in Benson, Arizona, and Mel continued to winter in Arizona with friends after Bunny’s passing in 2005. Eventually Mel sold his home in Luverne and moved to Windom to be closer to family.
Mel was a member of the Elkton Barbershop Quartet, volunteered on the Elkton Fire Department, and was active at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Luverne as the head usher and was in the Couples Club. In his free time, Mel enjoyed playing pool, singing, dancing, fishing, camping, solving word finds, and spending time on his computer playing games.
On July 2, 2025, Mel passed away peacefully at the age of 97 years, at Windom Area Health in Windom, Minnesota.
Left to cherish his memory are his children, Ron (Cindy) Melzer of Afton, Sharon (Tim) Jenniges of Windom, Vern (Anastasia) Melzer of Colorado Springs, CO, and Larry Melzer of Brasstown, NC; 16 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, one sister-in-law, June Osborn of Hills; and many relatives and friends.
Mel was preceded in death by his wife, Bonita “Bunny” Melzer; son, Marlin Melzer; parents, Alfred and Bertha Melzer; brothers, Herb (Elsie) Melzer and Rueben (Bethel) Melzer; sisters, Viola (Devere “Butch”) Sellin and Clara Nelson; parents-in-law, Clayton and Deloris Derby; and in-laws, Gloria (Don) Selberg and Marvin Osborn.
Blessed be his memory.