In Loving Memory MELVIN KUSEL

1923- 2002

Service MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2002, 10:30 AM

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH MANNING, IOWA

Officiating PASTOR DANIEL VOGEL

Congregational Hymns "WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS", "MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS", "LORD, TAKE MY HAND AND LEAD ME"


CARLYS STRIBE, ORGANIST

Interment MANNING CEMETERY

Casketbearers ALAN KUSEL, RICK KUSEL, BRAD BENTON, BRAD VITIRITTO, JOSHUA KUSEL, JASON KUSEL

THE FAMILY WISHES TO EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE FOR YOUR KINDNESS EVIDENCED IN THOUGHT, WORD, AND DEED, AND INVITES YOU TO JOIN THEM FOR LUNCH AND FELLOWSHIP AT THE CHURCH FOLLOWING THE COMMITTAL SERVICE

 


Melvin Dean Kusel, son of August and Ida (Grau) Kusel, was born November 3, 1923, near Manning in Carroll County, Iowa. He attended rural school near his home and graduated from Manning High School in 1943. He was baptized into the Christian faith, and in May 1955 became a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Manning, through the Rite of Confirmation.

Melvin was united in marriage with Marjorie Kuhn on December 11, 1943, at Carroll. To this union a son and a daughter were born.

Melvin was a farmer. He began farming the Parker land one mile north of Manning in 1948, and for the past 54 years "Parker's corner" has been the Kusel home. For many years Melvin worked together with his brother Amos. They farmed adjacent land, raised cattle and provided custom combining service that involved their sons. Melvin and his son Alan also engaged in a trucking operation for 20 years. Melvin retired from active farming in 1988, but continued to live on the farm helping his grandson Rick with the land. He enjoyed a part-time position at Veterinary Associates that kept him connected with farming. He also enjoyed tinkering with machinery, fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Because of failing health, Melvin became a resident of the Manning Plaza Nursing Home in August of 2002. There he gained many new friends before he died of cancer on Thursday, November 21, 2002, at the age of 79 years and 19 days.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Amos; half-sisters Eunice Ahrendsen and Elsie Schroeder; and half-brother Herman Kusel.

Melvin is survived by his wife Marjorie Kusel of Manning; son Alan Kusel and wife Pam of Manning; daughter Karla Richmond and husband Dan of Cedar Rapids; grandson Richard (Rick) Kusel, who they raised, and his wife Susan of Akron, CO; two granddaughters Amy Jo Benton and husband Brad of Carroll, and Beth Ann Vitiritto and husband Brad of Des Moines; grandson Phil Richmond and wife Patti of Cedar Rapids; and five great-grandchildren: Joshua, Jason, and Joselyn Kusel, Luke Richmond and Miranda Jo Benton. Also surviving is sister-in-law Dorothy Kusel of Manning; and in-laws Ruth Metcalf and husband Bill of Midland, MI; John Weible of Omaha, NE; Orrin Kuhn and wife Kay of West Union; and Delores Kuhn of Manning; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.


Leave all to His direction

In wisdom He doth reign

And in a way most wondrous

His course He will maintain.

Soon He, His promise keeping,

With wonder-working skill

Shall put away the sorrows

That now thy spirit fill.

TLH 520:8

 

Melvin's confirmation verse:
"For ye are bought with a price:
therefore glorify God in your body,
and in your spirit, which are God's."
1 Corinthians 6:20