Melvin W. Grotelueschen, 81 of Columbus, died Tuesday, October 31, 2000 at the Columbus Community Hospital. Services are Saturday, November 4, 2000 at 10:30 AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Leigh, Nebraska, with the Rev. Terry Timm officiating. Interment will be at 1:00 PM at Columbus Cemetery, Columbus, Nebraska, with military honors by American Legion Honor Guard, Sucha Post 302. Visitation will be held on November 3, 2000 from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Gass Haney Funeral Home.  Visitation will continue on Saturday at 9:30 AM until service time at the church.  A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 AM on Saturday at the church.  Memorials may be directed to family choice or donors choice.

Melvin W. Grotelueschen, 81, was born March 29, 1919 in rural Leigh, NE to William and Frieda (Wurdeman) Groteluschen. He attended Timber Hill School in rural Leigh and Zion Lutheran School and was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Leigh. On February 11, 1942 he married Helen Kucera at Zion Lutheran Church in Leigh. He entered the Army during WW II on September 10, 1942 and was discharged for family reasons on January 12, 1943. After returning home he began farming the family farm.
Melvin had been active in the Lutheran Laymen's League at Zion Lutheran Church and was a member of the American Legion in Leigh. He enjoyed baseball, bowling, and dart ball. He and his wife were members of Jubilee Squares a square dancing group. 

Melvin loved to travel and had been to Hawaii several times, had been on an Alaskan cruise and had been to Australia. He especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren in their sport activities. As a farmer he took pride in making sure his cornrows were planted straight and driving his 656 International diesel tractor. Melvin loved kids and being entertained by his grandchildren.

 

Melvin is survived by: 
Spouse - Helen Grotelueschen - Columbus, NE 
Daughter - Doreen (Jim) Linnan - Playa del Rey, CA 
Son - William 'Willie' Marlene Grotelueschen - Columbus, NE 
Brother - Leo (Donna) Groteluschen - Leigh, NE 
Sister - Hilda (Elmer) Went - Columbus, NE

Brother-in-law - Victor Olson Sr. - Leigh, NE
Grandson - Michael Grotelueschen - Columbus, NE 
Granddaughter - Kristin Grotelueschen - Columbus, NE 
Granddaughter - Tiffany Grotelueschen - Columbus, NE 

Melvin was preceded in death by: 
Father - William Groteluschen
Mother - Frieda (Wurdeman) Groteluschen
Sister - Ruth Olson
Sister - Verona Elhers

SERVICE FOLDER

In Loving Memory Of

MELVIN W. GROTELUESCHEN

Born
March 29, 1919
Rural Leigh, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
October 31, 2000
Columbus, Nebraska

Service
Saturday, November 4, 2000    10:30 A.M.
Zion Lutheran Church
Leigh, Nebraska

Officiating
Rev. Terry Timm

Music
Velda Olson - Organist
Willard Behlen & Shannon Wallinford - Duet
"How Great Thou Art"
"The Lord's Prayer"
Congregational Hymns
"Asleep in Jesus"
"I'm But A Stranger Here"

Casket Bearers
Bill Elhers                                 Terry Went
Ronnie Went                      Reuben Olson
Vic Olson Jr.          Lonnie Groteluschen
Michael Grotelueschen

Honorary Casket Bearers
Gary Groteluschen           Norman Olson
Merlin Olson

Interment
Columbus Cemetery
Columbus, Nebraska
Military Honors
American Legion
Sucha Post 302