Melvin Wille, age 81 of Lucan, passed away Saturday, February 23, 2019 at the Clarkfield Care Center. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 2 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lucan. Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Friday at the Walnut Grove Funeral Home, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in the Johnsonville Township Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Johnsonville Cemetery, Prairie Home Hospice or Clarkfield Care Center. Stephens Funeral Service – Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Melvin Wille was born September 19, 1937 in Lucan, MN to Lawrence & Edna (Engstrom) Wille. He was baptized November 7, 1937 and confirmed April 6, 1952 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Johnsonville Township. Melvin attended country school district 113 in Johnsonville Township, and graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1955. After his schooling, he entered the US Navy in 1955 where he served with the Seabees until 1958. After the service, Melvin returned home and started farming with his father and brother in law Ralph Hulke. On June 16, 1962, Melvin was united in marriage to Darla Dee Frahm at the Methodist Church in Slayton. Melvin retired from farming in 2002. He and Darla wintered in Mesa, AZ for 25 years. They traveled across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Mel was a member of the Lucan Lions Club, where he served as past president. He also served on the St. John’s Nursing Home board. Mel was the President of the Johnsonville Trinity Lutheran Church for many years. He enjoyed meeting his friends for breakfast and coffee in Lucan, Wabasso, and Mesa. Together they solved world problems and exchanged information, and they never gossiped.
Melvin is survived by his wife Darla Dee Wille; children: Darcy Lynn (David) Senst, Crysta Jean Wille (Thomas Bromann), and Alana Kay (Jack) Anderson; grandchildren: Parker & Amanda Senst, Grace & Matthew Bromann, Austin Bratsch, and Jasmine, Mason & Jadeyn Anderson; siblings: Carol Hulke, Marlene Rolloff, Bertha Sylvester, and Shirley Hill; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Lawrence & Edna Wille, father and mother-in-law Walter & Madge Frahm and four brothers-in-law.
We are so sorry for your loss, Darla. It was fun getting to know Mel during his time at Trinity. Keeping you in our prayers.
Sorry to hear about your loss. My dad (Noel) and I made the trip down to Walnut Grove not long before he passed. I enjoyed the trip with my dad listening to all your stories of how things were in the past. I guess maybe that is why I took up history teaching as my profession. Again I am sorry for your loss and you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Our deepest sympathy. Kenny enjoyed visiting with Melvin in the restaurant in Wabasso.
So sorry to hear about Melvin’s passing. Sending love and prayers to your family.
Melvin Wille, was a great mentor to me iny life
I loved him like he was my dad, his wife Darla, were very kind, generous, giving, humourous, Christian people, I well always remember Melvin. God Speed….
My deepest condolences for Melvin, and to his family.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. I really enjoyed our visits.
PRAYERS TO DARLA AND FAMILY. SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. KNEW MELVIN WELL. WONT BE THE SAME WITHOUT HIM. WILL MISS HIS FRIENDLY FACE DURING FALL HARVEST. MY CONDOLENCES. MIKE MAAS
Crysta, so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. I know you were very close to him. You and your family are in my thoughts during this difficult time. Let me know if there is anything that I can do to make it easier for you.
~Cheryl
sorry for your loss
Darla, Our sincere sympathy to you and your family. Mel will certainly be missed by all who knew him.
Melvin and Darla where my next door neighbors for many years in Arizona. I was blessed to also have them as friends.
Crysta and Family, sorry for your loss. It is always difficult when there is a loss of a loved one. Keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong and take the time you need to be with your family.
Michelle
I feel very fortunate to have known Mel. He and I served on the Desert Dawn Board together. I was a newcomer to the park and to the board, and he took the time to help me understand what was going on. When Mel became board president, I was impressed with how he encouraged open discussion and listened to all sides. He let the board members reach what they felt was the best decision and then gave it his full support.
I am very happy I got to know Mel and had the opportunity to enjoy some good times with him.
Darcy, Crysta and family,
My sincere sympathy to all of you. You are in my prayers.
Paula Dudgeon
Deepest sympathies to the Wille family. We were very fortunate to know Melvin.
Thinking of all of you during this difficult time. May your memories bring you comfort in the days ahead.
GOD’S PEACE and great memories GOD be with you and your family. Lots of childhood memories remembering your anniversary celebration many years ago when my grandma was alive seeing you and the twins when I was very young. Know your mom and dad. You will be missed and how fast life goes so fast. GOD bless.