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Harringa, Melvin E. (1927-2017)

HARRINGA, RICKS, THOMPSON, HERTZ, STINAFF, HACKBART, MEAUX, TERRELL, GIROIR, MARTENS, RASMUSSEN, MORRIS, WHEELER, KRUEGER, SUNDELL, ANDERSON, WINTER, HARMS, BERESFORD

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 12/15/2017 at 12:34:08

Melvin E. Harringa
July 8, 1927 - November 23, 2017

Melvin Edward Harringa, the second child of Reiner and Edna (Ricks) Harringa, was born on July 8, 1927, at the family home west of Buffalo Center. As a child, he attended the Methodist churches in Buffalo Center and Lakota. His family lived on farms near Buffalo Center and Ledyard until 1938 when they settled on the family farm six miles south of Buffalo Center. Melvin attended Lakota town school and German #1 country school in rural Kossuth county until the eighth grade. He, then, stayed home to help his father with farming. He met the love of his life, Ruth Thompson, at the skating rink in Lakota. On November 9, 1950, they married at the Methodist parsonage in Blue Earth, Minnesota. Subsequently, they were blessed with eight children.

Melvin farmed on his own for a few years before beginning to help at other farms and work at Welps Hatchery in Bancroft. When his father died in 1960, Melvin took over the family farm, later retiring from farming and going to work on the Rock Island Railroad until 1981. Then, the family moved to Buffalo Center. While living in town, Melvin mowed lawns and gardened, riding his bike from lawn to lawn. He, also, helped his sons farm in South Dakota and did janitorial work at the First Baptist Church where he often served as a deacon or trustee.

Having accepted Jesus Christ as his savior in 1960, Melvin was baptized at the Baptist Church in Bancroft. He enjoyed reading and hearing true stories, especially ones that involved Jesus. His favorite verse was John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” In addition, he, always, had a song, often a hymn, on his lips. His favorites included: "It Is No Secret," "Because He Lives," and "Life's Railway to Heaven." He, also often, sang or hummed, "I've Been Working on the Railroad." He loved Jesus, potatoes, and his family, always making time for them and frequently quizzing his grandchildren on math facts or asking them to read for him.

As he slowed down in his later years, he enjoyed doing the lunch dishes and passing the days with Ruth, his wife of 67 years. He died early on Thanksgiving Day at home, surrounded by family. Melvin will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and he took an interest in their activities, jobs, and families.

Melvin is survived by his wife, Ruth, eight children, and seventeen grandchildren: Linda and George Hertz, of Altoona, and their daughter, Dr. Amy Hertz; Merlyn and Mary Harringa, of Boone, and their daughters, Elizabeth (Eric) Stinaff and Sara (Matt) Hackbart; Rosemary and Delma Meaux, of Bakersfield, California, and their daughters, Shawna Terrell and Angie (Brandon) Giroir; Gloria and Dan Martens, of Mesa, Arizona, and her daughters Tonya (Mark) Rasmussen, Holly Morris, Casey (Mike) Wheeler, and Dani Leigh Martens; Bruce Harringa, of rural Toronto, South Dakota; Avis and Fred Krueger, of Urbandale, and their sons, Chris (Alyssa) Sundell, Jon Krueger, and Jeff (Hillary) Krueger; Connie and Bob Anderson, of Buffalo Center, and their children Kelly Ruth (Kyle) Winter, Tyler Anderson, and Jordan (Caitlin) Anderson; and Royce and Kim Harringa, of rural Brandt, South Dakota, and their daughters Kayla and Krista Harringa; 19 great-grandchildren and two sisters, Virginia and Judy Harringa, of Buffalo Center.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, and one brother: Harriet Harms, Ray Harringa, Adeline Harringa, Darlene Beresford, and Marilyn Harringa; a brother-in-law, Ubbie Harms; and a sister-in-law, Sue Harringa.

Memorial services for Melvin E. Harringa, age 90, will be held Monday, November 27, 2017, at the First Baptist Church in Buffalo Center, Pastor Steve Ware officiating. Mr. Harringa, who died peacefully at home on November 23, will be laid to rest in the Olena Mound Cemetery. Memorials can be made to UHD Hospice of Blue Earth, KJLY Radio, or On Common Ground Ministries of Garner.

Oakcrest Funeral Services ~ Winter Chapel, Buffalo Center, Iowa, 2017.


 

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