Melvin Harms Obituary

    Melvin George Harms, 94, passed away Monday, March 28, 2016 at Mayo Clinic Health System - Lake City Care Center.  Melvin had moved to Lake City in 2012 from Alexandria, Minn.
    He was born Oct. 20, 1921 in Audubon, Minn. to George and Emma (Wolff) Harms.  He attended school in Audubon, graduating in 1939.  He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran  Church in Audubon.
    On Nov. 1, 1941, Melvin married Alice Helen Teigen.  They had been married 69 years when Alice died in 2010.  The couple farmed in the Audubon area until 1974, when they moved to Alexandria.
    Melvin was a school bus driver for 15 years.  He was an avid gardener and especially proud of his lupines in every color.  His yard and garden were beautiful.  He also enjoyed fishing, deer hunting and swapping stories.  Melvin loved animals, bird watching, polka music, and following the Lake City basketball and baseball teams.
    He is survived by children, David (Kay) Harms of Lake City, Sharon (Kenneth) Kruger, of Phoenix, Ariz., Roger of Columbus, Ohio and Shela (Delos) Snelson, of El Mirage, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren, Tracy Harms (Joe Graner) and Tisha (Gregg) Thomas, both of Lake City, Mark Harms of Waverly, Iowa, Megan (Jacob) Feigal of Durham, N.C., Phillip Kruger and Daniel Kruger, both of Phoenix, Ariz., Brian Kruger of San Francisco, Calif., Amy (Brandon) Kelly of Mesa, Ariz. and Adam and Allison Snelson of El Mirage, Ariz.; 16 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; as well as other extended family members.  He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, one infant brother, wife, Alice; and grandsons, Paul Kruger and Matthew Harms.
    A memorial service will be Saturday, April 9, 11 a.m. in the chapel of the Lake City Care Center with Revs. Tim Ehling and Duane  Holst co-officiating.  A lunch will follow the service at the Pepin Plaza dining hall, 221 N. Franklin St.