Melville L. Wilson, 95, of Humboldt, passed away April 8, 2011 at the Humboldt County Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Humboldt with the Rev. Gene Broughton officiating. Interment will be in Indian Mound Cemetery, Humboldt. Visitation is from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Monday at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt.
Melville Louis Wilson, the son of William and Emma (Lenz) Wilson, was born July 1, 1915 at Ceylon, Minnesota. As a young boy, he moved with his family to a farm near Renwick in Iowa. Following his graduation from Renwick High School, Mel worked for a time on the farm. He was united in marriage to Blanche Kleve on October 15, 1940 at the Parsonage in Eagle Grove. The couple made their home south of Renwick until moving to Humboldt in 1942. In 1944, Mel began his career with REC in Humboldt where he remained until his retirement in 1977.
Mel was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church where he was active on the church council, in the various men’s programs, and served as an usher for many years. In his retirement, Mel stayed active fishing, hunting, gardening and woodworking. He enjoyed playing the organ and harmonica and traveling to much of the U.S. and Norway. For many winters he and Blanche enjoyed their time spent in Florida. He was an active member of the Izaak Walton League where he served as past president.
Mel is survived by his wife, Blanche of Humboldt; sons, Darryl (Sue) Wilson of Boone, Mark Wilson of Freemont, NE, and Brian (Margie) Wilson of Arvada, CO; grandchildren, Jennifer Wilson of Lakewood, CO, and Jeff Wilson of Arvada, CO; and sisters, Carol Smith and Karen Cordray both of Fredericksburg, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Stanley and Gordon Wilson; and sisters, Rose Marie Webster and Marjorie Breitmoser.