Leonard Melcher October 17, 1923 – June 01, 2018 Share this obituary Send Flowers Sign Guestbook| View Guestbook Entries| Send Sympathy Card Leonard V. Melcher, 94, Graceville, MN, passed away Friday, June 1, 2018 at Grace Home. Funeral services will be Monday, June 4, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville with Father Brian Oestreich officiating. Music will be provided by organist Deb Farwell and vocalists Deb Stueve, Chris Weick, Sandi Bauer, and Jean Costello.
Burial will be in the Graceville Consolidated Cemetery, Graceville. Honorary urnbearers will be his grandchildren, Richard Melcher, Michelle Stockham, Jason Melcher, Teresa Melcher Nelson, Joseph Melcher, Jessica Melcher, Jason Lundgren, Peter Lundgren, Stacy Marts, Travis Fridgen, Cory Fridgen, Leah Fridgen Kuss, Katie Gall, Casey Menge, Taylor Poss, Landon Poss, and Noah Poss. Visitation will be Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
The Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt, SD, is in charge of the arrangements. Leonard Vernon Melcher was born October 17, 1923, in Trosky, MN, to Joseph and Marie (Peschon) Melcher. He grew up and attended local schools in Trosky where he graduated.
On February 11, 1943, Leonard married Marian Graphenteen at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Pipestone, MN. In their early years, they farmed in the Trosky area, eventually moving to Beardsley in the 1950’s and finally settling in Graceville in the mid 60’s. After farming, Leonard sold life insurance and the Farmer magazine throughout Minnesota making many friends along the way.
He also spent a few years working as a custodian at Graceville High School, and drove school bus into his retirement years which stretched over a couple of generations. Together, they raised 7 children, 5 boys and 2 girls, and they managed to find time to dance the polka and two-step, go bowling, playing pinochle, travel and take snowmobile trips with their friends. Leonard enjoyed his time with his buddies … shaking dice for coffee, golfing until his body became too tired, but only after he got a Hole in One, then continued to tear up the streets of Graceville in his golf cart.
Leonard had a “crusty” nature in which one might say he was a little rough around the edges, but was softy at heart. Family celebrations were important to Leonard until his body became tired and he could no longer attend. Leonard and Marian spent their remaining years from 2007 to 2009 at Grace Village Assisted Living apartments until Marian’s passing, then Leonard continued his residence there until May of 2016 when he transitioned to Grace Home.
Survivors include all 7 of his children: Tom (Sue) Melcher of Clinton, MN; Dale (Joyce) Melcher of Isanti, MN; Gary (Helen) Melcher of Madison, SD; Bob (Mary) Melcher of Coon Rapids, MN; Carla (John) Bigalke of Wheaton, MN; Allan Melcher of Rosholt, SD; and Phyllis (Sheldon) Poss of Fargo, ND; 17 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; and sister Doris (Don) Wenig of Patagonia, AZ. Leonard was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Marian; granddaughter, Kristi Melcher; and sister, Joann Dahl.
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