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Melvin L. Alama Obituary – 1/18/2015


Melvin Leroy Alama, age 85, of French Lake, died Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

He was born Feb. 22, 1929, in French Lake, to Frank and Esther (Rissell) Alama.

Melvin married the one and only love of his life, Eva Mae Maurer, Jan. 21, 1956, at the Church of Christ in Kimball.

Melvin served our country in the US Army during the Korean War.

Melvin was a hard worker and a good provider to his family. Over the years, he owned numerous businesses, including a bar in South Haven, café in Annandale, and hot mix plants in Annandale, Ortonville, Alexandria, Sauk Centre, and Morris.

He enjoyed farming, saunas at the Bajari’s and Lampi’s, taking vacation to Las Vegas, and visiting with friends over coffee. Melvin loved his time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and family.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Eva, of French Lake; children, Colin of Cokato, Melvin Patrick (Katherine Ann) of Annandale, Ethel Grythe of Cannon Falls, Milo (Deb), Lester (Carol Symalla), Martin, Deanna (Daron Walter), Gene (Stacy), Dave, Jerry, and Henry, all of Annandale; siblings Hazel Barnard of Lake City, Audrey Selin of Minneapolis, and Marlene (Wes) Johnson of Eden Prairie; 31 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and many other family and friends.

Melvin was preceded in death by a son, Mark; parents; and siblings Catherine Durket, Shirley Bajari, Anita Seline, Eleanor Thompson, Leonard, Richard, and Gerald Alama.

Funeral Services took place Saturday, Jan. 24 at 11 a.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in French Lake with the Rev. Orval Wirkkala officiating. Interment followed at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Cemetery in French Lake.

Visitation was Friday, Jan. 23 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Annandale, and continued Saturday, one hour prior to the service at the church.

Arrangements were entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Annandale. Obituary, guestbook, video tribute and funeral Webcast are available online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.

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