Melvin Richard Kruckenberg

Melvin Richard Kruckenberg, 82, of Rockwell Iowa passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at the Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 Saturday, June 7, 2014 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 305 Elm St., Rockwell. Officiating will be the Rev. Rod Allers. Visitation will be at Sacred Heart Parish Center from 4:00 until 8pm on Friday with a scripture service beginning at 6:30 pm. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery with full military honors. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Melvin R. Kruckenberg memorial fund. You may sign the book on the funeral home website listed below. Melvin was born March 10, 1932 in West Fork Township, Franklin County Iowa. He was the son of Chriss and Dena (Abbas) Kruckenberg. Melvin attended country school through the 8th grade and then attended Hansell High School. In 1948 the family moved to Rockwell Iowa and Mel graduated from Rockwell Public High School in 1950. He was drafted on June 4, 1952 and proudly served his country as a Sergeant in the United States Army, serving during the Korean War. He received an honorable discharge on March 12, 1954, receiving the following medals: the Korean Service Medal, United Nation Service Medal, W/2 Bronze Stars, National Defense Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Mel had been an active member of the American Legion Gallagher Post 208, Rockwell, Iowa, receiving his 60 year award this past Memorial Day. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW in Mason City. Melvin married F Kay Fitzgerald on November 12, 1955 at Sacred Heart Church in Rockwell. They were the parents of five children, Renee, Kris, Patrick, Sandy and Jim. Melvin was proud to have put all his children through Newman Catholic High School and attended many events there throughout the years. Mel worked as a foreman for the State Brand Creamery, later known as AMPI, until his retirement in 1996, having worked there for 44 years. Melvin was a gentle soul who loved his family first and foremost. Golf was a very close second. Family camping trips with friends are legendary only because everyone survived being lost in the woods, minor flooding, and primitive campsites. Mel enjoyed his early morning friends at the YMCA, lunch at the South McDonalds, visiting with old friends and making new ones along the way. He was known to strum a country song or two on his guitar-Johnny Cash was his favorite singer. Melvin will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, Kay Kruckenberg, Children; Renee (Bill) Rohlfsen, Kris Kruckenberg, Patrick (Nickol) Kruckenberg, Sandra (Dan) Christeson and James (Tara) Kruckenberg. Ten Grandchildren; Scott Rohlfsen, Adam (Olivia) Rohlfsen, Nicholas (Shana) Rohlfsen, Max (Erin) Rohlfsen, Kathleen (Nicholas) Trask, Carter Kruckenberg, Todd (McKenzie) Christeson, Eveejo (Travis) Goll, Elizabeth Kruckenberg and Samantha Kruckenberg. Six Great-Grandchildren; Treiton Rohlfsen, Brienna Rohlfsen, Machaela Trask, Rayna Christeson, Shane Christeson and Jakob Goll. Three brothers, Willis (BJ) Kruckenberg, Donald (Sharon) Kruckenberg, David (Donna) Kruckenberg and one sister Lois (Wayne) Borcherding. Brother and Sister In-Laws and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Mel was preceded in death by his parents Chriss and Dena Kruckenberg, Chriss’ second wife Gertie Kruckenberg, and sister-in-law Marlys Kruckenberg. Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 2nd ST. SE, Mason City, Iowa 50401 641-423-8676 www.Fullertonfh.com, Facebook, Fullerton Funeral Home

Melvin Richard Kruckenberg

March 10, 1932 - June 4, 2014

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