Melvin P. Mierau

HART, MINN. ? Melvin Paul Mierau, 83, of Hart, died on Wednesday, June 18, 2008, at Community Memorial Hospital in Winona, Minn. He was born on August 17, 1924, in Money Creek, Minn. to Charlie and Ella (Neeb) Mierau.He was raised in Money Creek and attended Money Creek and Houston schools. Mel attended welding school and then moved to California where he worked as a welder in the ship yards. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII in Germany. On February 25, 1950, he married Marcella Brand at St. John's Lutheran Church in Hart. Mel was employed by Gamble Robinson Company for 9 years. He then worked as a supervisor at Warner-Swasey, now known as Badger Construction Equipment, where he retired after thirty years. Mel was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, where he served as a Trustee, the American Legion and VFW of Rushford. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards and gardening. Mel's favorite pastimes were sitting on his chair at the kitchen table, also known as "the Command Post", enjoying the outdoors while sitting on the deck and visiting in the garage. Grandpa Mel will be remembered for his famous grilled chicken, tracking the weather, teaching all five grandchildren to drive on his riding mower and especially for his great sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by his family. He is survived by his wife Marcy; one son, Chuck (Karen) Mierau of Rushford; a daughter, Kathi Vanyo of Glendale, Ariz.; five grandchildren: Patrick (Erica) Miller of Brooklyn, NY, Makenzie (Scot) Shank of Scottsdale, AZ, Zach (Marie) Mierau of Altura, MN, Alex Mierau, and Mariah Mierau; four great-grandchildren: Scot, Sean, Angelica and Caden; three sisters: Arlene Todd of Winona, Minn., Barbara Vander Zanden of Little Chute, Wis. and Lauretta Kahoun of Winona, Minn.; and by one sister-in-law, Agnes Mierau of Rushford. Mel was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Elsie Ledebuhr and Dollie Feine; and three brothers: Arthur and Ray Mierau and another brother in infancy. The funeral service will be at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Hart with the Rev. Harold Hintzman officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday at Hoff Funeral Homes ? Rushford Chapel and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. The family prefers memorials directed to St. John's Lutheran Church. Please feel free to leave a memory of Melvin, sign his online guestbook and view his tribute video at www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/21286