Melvin L. Freese

Melvin L. Freese, age 88, native of Haverhill, passed away in the comfort of his home on the morning of Monday, June 27, 2022 while in care of his loving family and the Iowa River Hospice. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 7 at the Immaculate Conception Oratory in Haverhill with Fr. Alan Dietzenbach officiating. The family will be present one-hour prior to receive friends. He will be laid to rest in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery with full military honors by the combined Marshalltown American Legion and VFW honor guard. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 6 at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home with a 7:00 p.m. rosary service. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for later designation. For online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234. Born on August 17, 1933 in Marshalltown, Iowa, he was the son of Lawrence and Clothilda (Kopel) Freese. He received his education in the St. Joseph Parochial School at Haverhill and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Marshalltown. After graduation, he served our country honorably in the Korean War in the United States Army. On April 15, 1961 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grinnell, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Alma Dunnick. They made Haverhill their home, where he farmed and was owner and operator of Freese Building Company. Melvin was a faithful member of the St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Marshalltown and formerly Immaculate Conception Oratory in Haverhill, Knights of Columbus and the American Legion Post #46. Left to cherish his memory are Alma, his loving wife of 61 years; four children- Greg (Nancy) Freese of Topeka, KS, Laura Freese of St. Louis Park, MN, Lisa (Duane) Reeves of Ames, IA, and Lynae (Jon Minthorn) Freese of Aurora, CO; seven grandchildren- Alex Freese, Shelby Reeves, Vince Callahan, Abby Freese, April Callahan, Haley Reeves and Ellie Callahan; two sisters- Irene Oetker and Marie (Don) Underwood; sisters-in-law Sally Freese and Arma Eaton, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In death, Melvin rejoined his parents, brother Lloyd, brother-in-law Earl Oetker, one niece and three nephews. The family would like to extend a special “thank you” to all the caring staff at Iowa River Hospice for their exceptional care of Melvin.