Melinda Lerssen

Funeral services for Malinda Anna Marie Lerssen were held Wednesday, August 7, 1996, at 2:00 p.m. at Ohde Funeral Home in Manning. Reverend Larry McAlpine of the United Methodist Church in Manning officiated the service with Mark Grundmeier as vocalist and Janet Myer as organist. Casketbearers were Kurt Lerssen, George Erps, Jack Lorenzen, Gary Wold, Delton Gruhn, and Orren Ramsey. Interment was held in the Manning City Cemetery, Manning.

Malinda, daughter of August and Lena Dockweiler Erps, was born July 15, 1905, at Manning, Iowa. The family moved to South Dakota in 1908 where Malinda was educated; she furthered her education by taking normal training at Springfield, South Dakota. Malinda taught rural school at Kaylor, South Dakota, for one term.

On August 8, 1923, Malinda was united in marriage with Arthur August Lerssen at Scotland, South Dakota. They farmed near Olivet, South Dakota, and in 1935 relocated to Manning, Iowa. They farmed near Manning until moving to town in 1944. From 1946 to 1968 Malinda and her husband operated the Manning Hotel. In 1971, they moved to the Terrace Apartments. Arthur died in July of 1972.

Malinda continued to live in her apartment until entering the Manning Plaza Nursing Home in the fall of 1995. She had been in failing health since suffering a stroke a month ago. She died at the Plaza on Monday morning, August 5, 1996, at the age of 91 years and 21 days.

Besides her husband, Malinda was preceded in death by her parents; and four brothers; Bill, Emil, Ben and Ed Erps.

Malinda is survived by her children: Loretta, and her husband, Maurice Friedman, Templeton; Donald Lerssen, and his wife, Jeanette, Manning; Beverly, and her husband, Dave Grundmeier, Manning; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Adella Wold, Scotland, South Dakota; cousins, nieces, nephews, and Other relatives and friends.

Malinda was a member of the United Methodist Church, a charter member of the United Methodist Women, and a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary.


Malinda Lerssen is buried in the Manning City Cemetery.
Section D Row #29 north - south.