Melvin Poepping

Melvin P. Poepping, age 87, of New Munich, passed away after a short illness on Thursday, November 7, 2013 at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 12 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich with Rev. Roger Klassen, O.S.B. officiating and Rev. Ken Thielman concelebrating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. followed by Catholic Order of Foresters and St. Joseph's Men's Society at 6 p.m. Monday evening.

Melvin Peter Poepping was born May 24, 1926 in Grove Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Gerhard and Philomena (Vornbrock) Poepping. He was united in marriage to Ermalinda Dickhaus on May 27, 1952 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose. Melvin served in the United States Army during the Korean War, and then took over the family farm. He moved to New Munich in 1984. He enjoyed farming, fishing, card playing, and the casino. Melvin also adored his time with family and friends, especially his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich, St. Leo Court 786 Catholic Order of Foresters, American Legion Post 101 and St. Joseph's Men's Society.

He is survived by his wife, Erma Poepping of Melrose; children, Ann (Michael) Barten of Greenwald, Donna (Leander) Loehr of Elrosa, Toby Poepping of Melrose, Phil (Bonnie) Poepping of New Munich, Dennis Poepping of Freeport, and Tim (Dawn) Poepping of Cheyenne, WY; fourteen grandchildren; and sixteen great-grandchildren and one on the way.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers and sisters, Theodore Poepping, Anthony Poepping, Sylvester Poepping, Juletta Piekarski, and Alvina Mayers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Serving as casket bearers will be his six children, Ann, Donna, Toby, Phil, Dennis, and Tim. Cross bearer will be Preston Poepping and scripture bearer will be Josh Poepping. Gift bearers will be Jason Barten, Chris Barten, Jodi Waltzing, and Nicki Poepping. Readers will be Joel Barten and Cindy Hoffman. Petitions will be by Darrin Loehr and Missy Frieler. Honorary bearers will be Catholic Order of Foresters and St. Joseph's Men's Society.