Melvin J. Pelzel

Born September 25, 1922, Melvin Joseph Pelzel was one of twelve children born to Clement and Augusta (Engels) Pelzel. Melvin was a twin to Marion Pelzel Gent. In birth order, his siblings were Roman, Edward (Mary Seidl), Leo (Emma Rothmeier), Erwin, Leona (Ambrose Braun), Arthur (Lorraine Soukup), Bernard (Mary Groot), Lucille (Martin Helget), Irene (Robert Meyer), Marion (Roderick Gent), Melvin (Marcella Reiner), and Lorraine (Melvin Tauer) Lorraine is the only living sibling. Melvin attended school in his early years at the Quail Trap School south of Sleepy Eye and later at St. Mary's School through the eighth grade. Melvin farmed at home until he married Marcella Reiner on September 28, 1949. Four children were born to them. Wayne (Patricia Pietig) of Sleepy Eye has three children (Tony, Pamela and John). Diane (deceased) (Richard Helget) of Sleepy Eye has 5 children (Marcy, Neil, Stacy, Keith and Russell). Thomas (Lisa Peichel) of Sleepy Eye has two children (Andy and Becky). Steven (Lynnae Nachreiner) of Sleepy Eye has 4 children (Carissa, Jessica, Kahley and Laura). Marcella passed away on April 8, 1971, at the age of 42 and Melvin raised and cared for the four children. Their four children have 14 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. Melvin enjoyed hunting and fishing with his children. He made an annual fishing trip to Canada each summer and in the fall deer hunting trips to northern Minnesota. Melvin worked many years for the Farmer's Elevator of Sleepy Eye and supplemented the family income working as a gunsmith and small engine repairman in the evenings and on weekends. Melvin was a true handyman who enjoyed fixing things and handed those traits along to his children. Melvin resided at Divine Providence Home for the past 7 years and went home to his maker on April 22, 2018 at the age of 95. Visitation 1 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday, April 26, 2018 Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel 301 - 3rd Ave. S.W. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Visitation 2 7:30 am - 9:30 am Friday, April 27, 2018 Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel 301 - 3rd Ave. S.W. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Service Information 10:00 am Friday, April 27, 2018 St. Mary's Catholic Church-Sleepy Eye 636 1st Ave. North Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Interment Information St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery 720 3rd Ave. N.E. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085