Melvin Bratvold

Funeral services for Melvin O. Bratvold, age 90, of Albert Lea will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 25, 2011 at Zion Lutheran Church.  Rev. Joel Vano will officiate.  Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  

Melvin died Thursday, July 21, 2011 at St. John’s Lutheran Home.

Melvin O. Bratvold was born on March 24, 1921 to Andrew and Karen (Jorstad) Bratvold in Kenyon, MN.  He grew up in southern Minnesota on the family farm where he liked to go horseback riding and most of all fishing year round. Melvin graduated from Kenyon High School and continued his education at the Raye Vogue Commercial Art School in Chicago, IL.  On June 12, 1946 he was united in marriage to Helen Bremer in Faribault, MN.  Melvin was self employed in Visual Merchandising.  He was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church and Lion’s International.  He enjoyed working on city and county promotional events and school sports programs.  Melvin was an avid Minnesota Gophers sports fan and enjoyed watching all major league and local sporting events. 

Survivors include his children, Jill (Blaine) Nelson of Glenville, James Bratvold of LasVegas, NV and John (Robin) Bratvold of Mason City, IA; grandchildren, Bradley Nelson, Amy (Terry) DeVore, Christopher (Char) Nelson, Michael Nelson, Diane (Daryl) McCalley, Kursten (Sean) Peplinki, Michelle (Steve) Hale, Jennifer Bratvold and Lindsey (Matt) Baldwin; great-grandchildren, Courtney, Kaitlyn, Colton, Christian, Ashley, Kaley, Brandon, Mitchell, Madison and Alex.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Helen; 1 brother and 1 sister.