Melvin Herbert Otto Dose

Obituary

Melvin Herbert Otto Dose was born on August 4, 1928, to Ruben and Eleanore (Templin) Dose on their farm in Plato, MN.  Melvin was baptized in Plato and confirmed at First Evangelical Lutheran in Glencoe, MN.  He attended grade school in Plato and high school in Glencoe, MN.

Melvin was called to duty in December of 1950.  He was drafted into the Army for the Korean War.  He proposed to Ruth Michaelis (Richard and Elsie Michaelis) and 2 weeks later they were married at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Helen Township on January 12, 1951.  On January 24 he went active and left Minnesota for Camp McCoy in Wisconsin, trained in artillery.  From there he was shipped to Japan for training and then to Korea, where he spent 18 months and 16 days.  During his time in Korea he was transitioned to communications as a lineman.  He was a Golden Gloves boxer before going to Korea, and was assigned to become a member of the Army boxing team.  He boxed his way to being one match short of making the Olympic tryouts.  He was discharged in 1953.

Melvin returned to his family and was employed by the Glencoe Telephone Company as a lineman until 1955 when they rented a farm northwest of Glencoe called the Keller Farm.  In 1958 he and Ruth purchased a farm east of Glencoe and lived there until April of 2017, when they moved into Glencoe.  Melvin and Ruth had 5 children; David (Kari Lillienthal), Debra (Greg Gebeke), Doris, Darlene (David Polzin) and Donna (Stephen Swann).  Grandchildren and great grandchildren are: Eric Dose; Brian Dose; Alissa Gebeke; Sarah Gebeke Smriga (Matt and Luke, Evan); Jenna Gebeke Case (Clay and Norah, Audrey); exchange granddaughter Erfah Ellis (Brian and Neil, Grace, George); Nathan Exsted (Sara and BraeElle, Callan; Trisha Farrow (Tim and Mia, Madden); Tyler Polzin (Brittany Garcia); Mitchel Polzin; and Sydney Swann.

Melvin was involved with First Evangelical Lutheran Church and First Evangelical Lutheran School on various committees, McLeod County 4-H program, McLeod County Fair Board, Glencoe VFW Post #5102 as a Post Commander and Drill Team member, Plato American Legion Post #641, served on the Helen Township Board, and as a McLeod County Commissioner.  Melvin loved farm life and was proud of his dairy operation and purebred Hampshire hogs.  He became involved with the MN Pork Producers Association.  Melvin always smiled as he reminisced about playing as a catcher with his men’s softball team in Plato.

Melvin loved his family and nothing made him happier than to have his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren at the farm where he taught them to work and have fun, including gardening and driving vehicles, or taking everyone to a good German restaurant for a celebration.

Melvin passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at his home in Glencoe, Minnesota, at the age of 91 years, 11 months and 25 days.  Blessed be his memory.

Melvin is survived by his wife, Ruth; their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren; brother, Norman Dose and his wife, Carol; brother-in-law, Willis Herrmann; sister-in-law, Evelyn Michaelis.

Melvin is preceded in death by his Parents, Ruben and Eleanore Dose; Brothers, Raymond Dose and his wife, Adeline, Howard Dose; Sister-In-Law, Lois Herrmann; Brothers-In-Law, Ernie Michaelis, Richard Michaelis.