Melvin Pantze

Melvin William Pantze was born May 1, 1933, in Villard, Minnesota to William and Alice (Hoth) Pantze.  He attended Villard High School through his sophomore year and then went to go help his Dad on the farm.

Melvin enlisted in the United States Army in 1956.  While on leave Melvin was united in marriage to Ruby Toft on March 17, 1956, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria.  The couple lived in New Jersey while Melvin was stationed there before he was sent overseas to Japan and Korea.  Melvin served his country for 3 years and returned home to his wife and 2-year-old daughter, Vicki.  The couple made their home in Alexandria and were blessed with 3 more children, Jodi, Jay, and Jeff.  Melvin worked as a service technician for Coca-Cola working on vending machines.  He retired after 41 years of working for Coca-Cola.

Melvin enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking, gardening and farming with his John Deere tractor.

Melvin died on Wednesday, September 18, 2019, at Alomere Health in Alexandria at the age of 86.  He is survived by his wife, Ruby of Alexandria; children, Vicki (Robert) Ekdahl, Jodi Cassell, Jay (Diane) Pantze, and Jeff Pantze all of Alexandria; 7 grandchildren, Cory Kludt, Jamie Klug, Shanna Vickerman, Brandy Safe, Chealsie Pantze, Alexandra Rients, and Hannah Pantze; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.  Melvin is preceded in death by his parents, William and Alice; sisters, Ione Hanson and Bonnie Kirckhoff.

A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Monday, September 23, 2019, at the Anderson Funeral Home with Reverend Hans Dahl officiating.  A visitation will take place on Sunday, September 22, 2019 from 5-7 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home and also for one hour prior to the service on Monday.  Entombment will be in the Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria.  Military Honors will be provided by the Alexandria Veterans Memorial Unit and the Minnesota National Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Veterans Memorial Park in Alexandria.