Melvin H. Kramer age 91 of Vesta, passed away Thursday, March 6, 2008
at St. John’s Lutheran Home in Springfield. Mass of Christian Burial
will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 14, 2008 at St. Anne’s Catholic
Church in Wabasso. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services
at the church on Friday. Interment is in the Holy Name Catholic
Cemetery in Vesta. Email condolences may be sent via
www.redwoodvalleyfuneralhome.com. The Redwood Valley Funeral Home in
Redwood Falls is handling the arrangements.

Melvin H. Kramer was born in Lucan, MN on October 1, 1916 to Anton and
Dora (Norcutt) Kramer. He attended Elementary School in Lucan and
graduated from Milroy High School. He attended Kearney State College
in Nebraska and worked in a war plant in Detroit prior to being
inducted into the Army on June 19, 1943. Melvin and Florence Pelzel
were married January 3, 1944 in Ann Arbor, MI. Melvin served with the
Infantry, 327th Glider Regiment, 101st Airborne in Rhineland, African,
Italian and Eastern Theater, Battle of the Bulge, Berchtesgarden, and
Central Europe and was discharged January 17, 1946. After the war, he
and his father purchased the Vesta State Bank. Mel became President and
owner and along with his wife, operated the facility until their
retirement in 1979. Under his guidance, a new Bank building was
erected, incorporating the old structure. Mel held every office in the
Vesta Commercial Club, initiating the recipe for the Famous Barbecue
Chicken served each year on V-Esta Day. He was a volunteer Fireman for
24 years and a member of the Vesta Lions Club. Mel was very active in
the Republican Party, serving as a delegate. A faithful member of
Church of the Holy Name, he was instrumental, along with others, in the
building of the new Church in 1959. Mel planted a huge garden each
year and could be seen there nearly every evening weeding or hoeing in
his white shirt and tie. Mel was a good neighbor to those who knew
him, always giving a helping hand both personally and as a banker. Mel
and Florence lived in Vesta most of their married life and later in
Wabasso. Mel resided at St John’s Nursing Home prior to his death. He
was preceded in death by his wife, Florence, his sister, Chloris, and
brothers Bernard, Lyle, Lyndon, Woodrow, and William. He is survived by
his daughter, Melanie Atkins of Highlands Ranch, CO; son Craig and
wife, Rose Kramer of Brandon, WI; granddaughter Gina and husband Angel
Burgos of Las Vegas, NV; grandson Chad and wife, Faith Atkins of
Littleton, CO; great granddaughters Michelle and Maliah of Littleton,
CO; brother Don and wife Doris Kramer of Alexandria, MN. Blessed be
his memory.