MELCHER, Virgel Mina --- 1918-2000

GULICKSON, HANSON, MELCHER, HAGEN, KELLISON

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 11/19/2010 at 17:38:22

Virgel Melcher

Virgel M. Melcher, 82, of Harpers Ferry, died Wed., Dec. 27, 2000 at Veterans memorial hospital in Waukon following a brief illness.

Funeral services were held Sat., Dec. 30 at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waterville. Rev. Ken Kimball officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Virgel Mina Melcher was born May 21, 1918 on the Taylor Township, rural Harpers Ferry farm of her parents, Alert and Mabel (Gulickson) Hanson. She was baptized and confirmed at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church and attended Excellsior Country School and graduated from Waterville high School in 1936.

Before Virgel was married, she worked at the ASCS office in Waukon. On Oct. 3, 1940 she married John Melcher at the Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church. After Virgel and John were married they farmed near Harpers Ferry.

Virgel was a member of Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church and the Priscilla circle. As a member, she was very active with the Ladies Aid and held various offices. Virgel was also a Sunday school teacher and a Bible school teacher. She enjoyed family gatherings and playing with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed walks in the woods, picking blackberries, traveling, gardening and collecting rocks for the garden.

Virgel is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; a grandson, Eric John Hagen; and a great-grandson, Steven Melcher.

Survivors include two sons, Roger (Karen) Melcher of Waterville, and Scott (Barb) Melcher of Harpers Ferry; and a daughter, Sheri (Elmo) Hagen of Waterville; 11 grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and an aunt, Myrtle Kellison of Waukon.

Casket bearers were Marty, Jeffrey, Thomas, Brian, Amanda, Patricia, and Mary Melcher, Jacqulyn Johanningmeier, Erik and Jon Hagen and Marcie Givens.

Martin Funeral Home of Waukon assisted the family.

Postville, Iowa newspaper of the time clipping, from Dorothy Schave's obituary collection.