MUDDERMAN, Melvin W. Sr. 1942-2015

MUDDERMAN, ASWEGAN, SMITH

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/25/2017 at 09:00:05

Melvin W. Mudderman, Sr. age 72 of Ackley, died on Sunday, July 19, 2015 at the Iowa River Hospice in Marshalltown. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Friday, July 24th at the East Friesland Presbyterian Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Thursday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley.

Melvin William Mudderman, Sr. was born on September 13, 1942 in Iowa Falls, Iowa. He is the son of Aberhart and Lucy (Aswegan) Mudderman and the brother to Delores, Verna, and Arlene. Melvin attended country school in rural Ackley. Unfortunately, when Melvin was 16 years old, his father passed away from pancreatic cancer. In turn, this lead to Melvin becoming the head of the household and taking care of his mother and three sisters on a 200 acre farm; quite an undertaking for a teenager but he did what had to be done.

On November 1, 1963, he was united in marriage to Pamela Sue Smith in Eldora, Iowa. To this union three children were born: Melvin, Jr., Barbara, and Sharon.

Melvin worked at Farmland Foods for 25 years and then Hammers/Plastics Recycling for 22 years.

He was a social member at the Ackley American Legion Post #252, a member of the Ackley Recreation Club, Ducks Unlimited and Pheasant Forever. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, he enjoyed bowling and during his retirement he took up golfing.

On April 10, 2004, Melvin lost his wife Pamela to COPD after 40 years of marriage. In the spring of 2010, Melvin had a triple bypass which lead to his oncoming retirement in 2012. In the winter of 2014, Melvin was diagnosed with stage 4 esophagus and stage 4 prostate cancers. He had conquered this fight, but in June the cancers returned with a vengeance. He tried fighting them once again, but they overcame him. On July 19th, 2015 at 6:15 A.M. we lost a great father, grandfather, friend, hero, and heaven gained an angel.

He is survived by his children: Melvin (Earl) Mudderman, Jr. and partner Pam Frye of Eveleth, MN; Barbara Stevens and husband, Wayne of Story City, Iowa; Sharon Krumm and her husband, Daniel of Kellogg, Iowa; seven grandchildren: Matthew (San Diego, CA) and Mandi Mudderman (San Luis Obispo, CA), Brian Tesdall (Rogers, AR), Shawn Tesdall and wife, Amie (Ankeny, IA), Stacey Tesdall (Story City, IA), Heather (Grinnell, IA) and Madison Krumm (Kellogg, IA); six great-grandchildren, Jacob, Shawna, Scarlett, Wyatt, Isabella, and Maci; two sisters, Delores Rottinghaus and husband, Joe of Clear Lake, IA; and Verna Mudderman of Clear Lake, IA. His best friend, Meri Jo Nicklas and his little puppy, Tina.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, Aberhart and Lucy (Aswegan) Mudderman; wife, Pamela Mudderman; one sister and brother in law, Arlene and Jim Armstrong; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

--Surls Funeral Homes (www.surls.com)