Melvin Cassmann

CASSMANN, JOHNSON, DRALLE, FUERSTENBERG, HENSLEY, BLOCK, HALFPOP, ROVER, BOLHUIS, RUMPLE, ROBERTS

Posted By: dbeier (email)
Date: 7/29/2010 at 16:31:00

Melvin Cassmann, 82, of Grundy Center and formerly of Clarksville, Iowa, died Monday, July 26, 2010, at the Grundy Center Care Center.

Melvin was born March 24, 1928, in Allison, Iowa, the son of Peter and Ella (Johnson) Cassmann. He was baptized and confirmed at the Lutheran Church in Greene. He attended country school near his home, and following his education he assisted on the family farm and then worked for Ralph Marsh on his farm.

Melvin married Lucille Dralle and the couple made their home in Bristow, Iowa and later Evansdale, Iowa. Lucille died in 1957, leaving Melvin with three young daughters who were raised by Vernon & Viola Roberts of Grundy Center. He later went to work for the City of Waterloo as foreman in the Arborist Department and retired in 1989 after 31 years of service.

In the 1980's, Melvin and Eileen Fuerstenberg made their home together in Waverly. This longtime friendship involved going to auctions, traveling, and sharing duties on the acreage. They later moved to their home in Clarksville where Mel has been known for years as the "Clarksville Goodwill Ambassador". Melvin loved horses, ponies and mules and for years he and Eileen showed their team of mules throughout Iowa and even at the State Fair. Their team of mules earned numerous awards, trophies, and ribbons throughout their show career. Melvin moved into the Community Nursing Home in Clarksville in August of 2007 and then moved to Grundy Center Care in March of 2009. Eileen died on March 4, 2010.

Melvin is survived by his three daughters, Connie J. Hensley of Waterloo, Mary A. (Barry) Block of Grundy Center, Susan K. Halfpop of Phoenix, Arizona; six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, three step grandchildren, three step great grandchildren; two sisters, Mabel Rover of Greene, Iowa, Eunice (Fred) Bolhuis of Aplington, Iowa; step sister, Esther Mae Rumple of Portersfield, Wisconsin; sisters-in-law, Kathryn Cassmann of Greene, Viola Roberts of Grundy Center, Donna Dralle of Waverly, and Margaret Dralle of Allison.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Lucille, longtime companion Eileen Fuerstenberg, two brothers, Dale and Gordon Cassmann; brother-in-law, Elvin Rover

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 29, 2010, at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church (Vilmar), rural Greene, with burial in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at the Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Memorials may be directed to the family.