Melvin Thelen

Melvin M. Thelen, age 81, of Melrose died Saturday, June 24, 2006 at the Melrose Area Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota after a short illness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 27 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Vince Lieser and Rev. Ken Thielman concelebrating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home, Melrose. The Melrose Veterans Honor Guard will pray at 7 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Melvin Thelen was born April 27, 1925 in Melrose, Minnesota to John and Mary (Goihl) Thelen. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Melvin then attended the Dunwoody Institute to become a baker. He was employed by Anoka State Hospital where he was a baker for 30 years. Melvin moved back to Melrose after his retirement. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Shanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050, and the Knights of Columbus, Council #1633.

Survivors include his brothers, Clarence Thelen, and Herb Thelen (Della), both of Melrose; and sister-in-law, Jeanette Thelen of Albert Lea.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Thelen; brothers, Sylvester, Edmund, and Al Thelen; and sister, Tillie Poepping.

Casket bearers will be Jim Thelen, Tom Thelen, Neil Thelen, Greg Thelen, John Thelen and Jeanne Thelen. Cross bearer will be Jan Haskamp and scripture bearer will be Carol Poepping. Readers will be Jan Lefebvre and Shirley Knisley.