Melvin Ninnemann was a wonderful husband and devoted father who cared very much for his family. The youngest of seven children, Melvin was raised by his Grandma Pagel and Uncle Bill Pagel after his mother died at an early age. He grew up with his cousin Elaine and treated her as his sister. Melvin grew up where extended family supported and cared for each other and that carried over in how Melvin loved his family.
At the age of 81, Melvin passed away on Friday, October 2, 2009 in Palliative care at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born June 8, 1928 in the town of Wausau to the late Paul and Bertha (Pagel) Ninnemann. After serving in the U. S. Navy from 1946-47, he married Caroline Schuetz on November 20, 1948 at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Wausau by Rev. Ervin Seidel. Melvin worked as an Ice Cream truck driver for Stueber Dairy from 1947-55. In 1955 he began work as a machinist for (JI Case) Drott Manufacturing and retired in 1984 as a Quality Control Inspector. He was a member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church volunteering as an usher, church council member, and funeral lunch dishwasher. After retirement, Melvin enjoyed bowling, driving van for the Marathon County Commission on Aging, and serving on the Military Honor Guard for American Legion Montgomery Plant Post #10. His hobbies included fishing, traveling, watching movies, keeping up with the news, playing Sheepshead, 500 or dice every Saturday with relatives, and taking meticulous care of his yard.
Survivors include his wife, Caroline of Wausau, three children, Duane (Vicky) Ninnemann of Ringle, Deane Ninnemann of Wausau, Diane (Aaron) Krueger of Wausau, five grandchildren, Jeffrey (Karin) Ninnemann, Michael, Kirk, Mark, and Lisa Ninnemann, one great grandson, Reis, one sister, Ruth Reinicke of Wausau, two sisters-in-law, Jean Ninnemann of Schofield, and Shirley Ninnemann of Milwaukee. He was further preceded in death by three brothers, Clarence (Stella), Marvin, and Harold Ninnemann, and two sisters, Marcella (Alvin) Kell and Ethel (William) Wischmeyer.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 512 McClellan St., Wausau. Reverend Gary Froseth will officiate. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery with full military honors performed by the American Legion. Visitation will be Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Helke Funeral Home, Wausau and at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services.
You may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.
Memorials may be directed to St. Stephen Lutheran Church.
We would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital and Palliative Care Unit for their kind care.
.