Rueben Melzer

Memorial services for Rueben Melzer of Bertha were held at 1:00 PM on Friday, August 1, 2008 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bertha with Reverend Blake Rickbeil presiding. A celebration of Rueben’s life was held at his home in Bertha starting at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 2, 2008. Rueben passed away peacefully on Friday, July 25, 2008 at the Fairview University Medical Center in Minneapolis. Rueben Henry Melzer was born on March 5, 1931 at Kensal, ND to Alfred and Bertha (Studtman) Melzer. The family moved to the Bertha area in 1942 and he was confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in 1945. He graduated from the Bertha High School. He was united in marriage with Bethel L. Fischer on March 9, 1952 at the United Methodist Church in Wadena. He served his country in the US Army from 1952 – 1954. He was a union oiler and worked for many years for MN Highway Maintenance. From 1961 until 1977, he owned and operated the Rueb’s Market grocery store and meat processing in Bertha. Since retiring, he has operated TRT Co. – Melzer with his son Terry. Rueben was active in the community as a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and the VFW in Wadena. He was a former member of the Bertha Commercial Club, Bertha Lions and the William Larson American Legion Post 366 in Bertha. Rueb enjoyed life. He enjoyed being outdoors, whether he was camping, hunting or just sitting on his patio at home. He liked making sausage and then sharing his creations with his friends and family. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with people, sharing stories and experiences as well as a good joke. Rueben was preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Bertha Melzer and his brother Herbert Melzer. He is survived by his wife Bethel; son Terry of Hewitt; daughters Cheryl (Mark) Burgess of Sundance, WY and Debra Melzer of Creston, IA; 4 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild; brother Melvin Melzer of Luverne, MN; and sisters Clara Nelson of Long Beach, CA and Viola Sellin of Brainerd, MN. Honorary pallbearers were Samuel Burgess, Joshua Burgess, Jessie Burgess, Tyson Easley, Ronald Melzer, Leonard Elgin, Oliver Pratt, Albert Becker, Delton Melzer and Wilbert Melzer. Military honors were provided by the Elmer Goche Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Post 3922 of Wadena. Interment was at the St. Paul’s & St. John’s Cemetery in Bertha Township.

Rueben Melzer

March 5, 1931 - July 25, 2008