Melvin Rossow

Melvin William Rossow, age 92, of Lakefield, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, February 21, 2022, at the Sunset Hospice Cottage in Worthington. Visitation will be held from 9:30-11:30 on Thursday, February 24, 2022, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lakefield. Funeral service will begin at 11:30 a.m. with Reverend Phil Beukema officiating. Military Honors will be performed outside of the church, following the funeral service by the Lakefield American Legion and VFW Post. Burial will be held at Memorial Gardens in Windom, Minnesota.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Cancer Society or the Sunset Hospice Cottage are preferred.

Melvin William Wilhelm Rossow, son of Reinhard and Ella (Ell) Rossow, was born on May 25, 1929, on his parent's farm in Heron Lake Township, Jackson County, MN. He was baptized on June 16, 1929, and later confirmed in the Lutheran faith on April 18, 1943, at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Heron Lake Township, Lakefield, MN. Melvin grew up on the family farm and attended school at St. Peter Lutheran School. He married Inez Swanson on October 29, 1950, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lakefield. On January 16, 1951, Melvin was called to active duty in the Army National Guard, 4ih Division in Fort Rucker, Alabama until November 1951. He was honorably discharged in September 1952. When he returned to Lakefield, he worked at the Chevrolet garage. In the spring of 1953 Melvin started his career in farming in Hunter Township, and then to Loon Lake, Jackson County and into Iowa at Marble Beach. In March 1969 they purchased their current farm north of Lakefield. Melvin was a member of Swens-Rasmussen American Legion Post No. 4 in Lakefield. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He served on the School Board for District #694 of Jackson, and on the Jackson County Co-op board, as well as the Ag Center board.

Melvin loved farming and its many challenges. It was his passion. He milked cows and raised a multitude of various livestock over the years, as well as did grain farming. After he retired, he still enjoyed helping his sons with their grain farming. Melvin enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, bowling, horseshoes, and playing cards. He never lost his sense of humor and always enjoyed a good cup of coffee.

He is survived by Five Children: Peggy (Robert) Saxton, Shakopee, Patricia (Michael) Harrington, Mankato, Michael (Dawn) Rossow, rural Lakefield, Joseph (Connie) Rossow, Milford, IA and Timothy (Victoria) Rossow, Lakefield: Sixteen Grandchildren: Lesley (Doug) Voss, Leigh (Kevin) Sebby, Jeffrey (Tanya) Saxton, Matthew (Jasmine) Harrington, Kristina (Jason) St. Peter, Jason Rossow, Jeremy Rossow and Heather (Rod) Hawkins, Jennifer (Corey) Haugen, Angela (Dave) Merrill, Brandon Rossow, Brian (Hilary) Rossow, Jesse (Andrea) Rossow, Andrea Rossow, Benjamin Rossow, and Emily Rossow: Eighteen Great Grandchildren: Riley and Emma Haugen; Alivia, Avery, and Dylan Voss; Jaxon and Tyson Sebby; Jonah and William Harrington; Cole and Alana St. Peter; Leo and Weston Rossow; Lena Rossow; Carter and Benton Merrill; Taliyah and Taziah Hawkins; Parker and Riley Scherg; Brothers and Sisters: Larry (Roxann) Rossow of Redwood Falls; Betty Hage of Lakefield; Reinhard (Rita) Rossow of Corona, CA; Shirley Rossow of Dundas; Sisters-in-law Lanell Rossow of Lakefield and Elaine Rossow of Buffalo Lake and many nieces and nephews.

Melvin was preceded in death by his wife Inez, his parents, brothers Curtis and Dennis, his sisters and their husbands, Gladys and Lyle Fricke, Berniece and Clarence “Bud” Tallman, and brother-in-law Wilbur Hage.

Blessed be the memory of Melvin William Rossow.

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