Melvin Fredrick Kuhlmann

July 19, 1916--Feb. 2, 2006

Melvin Fredrick Kuhlmann, 89, died Thursday (Feb. 2, 2006) at Community Hospital of McCook.

He was born July 19, 1916, near Elk Creek, the son of Fred L. and Amelia (Volker) Kuhlmann. He attended school and graduated from "The Old Stone School" in rural Nemaha County. He was reared on the family farm, helping his parents until he was 21-years-old.

He married Adeline Fredricka Goos on Nov. 21, 1940. Soon after their wedding they began to sell Wear-Ever Aluminum Cookware, until World War II, when he worked in the Bomber Plant at Mead.

Melvin worked, for a time, for Earl May Seed Co. in Auburn and later moved to Cook to embark on several years of farming. After a devastating tornado in 1948, they moved to Auburn, where he formed a partnership with his nephew in the contracting business. Due to health issues, he had to quit the carpenter business and started selling for Farm Bureau Insurance Company.

After several successful years, but missing self-employment, he and Adeline moved to McCook in 1959 to purchase the Ranch Motel and Steakhouse, where they enjoyed much success. Following the death of their business partner, Harry S. Strunk in 1961, they sold that business and Mel went to work selling for Farmcraft Feeds. He later partnered with his sons in the Service Station business, and was also successful in both the Amway and Amzoil businesses.

He and Adeline were lifelong members in the Lutheran Church and were active in numerous business and social groups.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred L. Kuhlmann, and three brothers, Hubert, Theodore and Edwin.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Adeline; his children, Robert (and Verleen) Kuhlmann of Kearney, Sharon (and David) Huegel of McCook and Charles (and Teresa) of McCook; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; his sister, Elta Meyer of Lincoln; sister-in-law, Anna May Kulhmann of Humboldt; and many family and friends.

Services will be Monday, 10:30 a.m., at the Peace Lutheran Church in McCook with the Rev. Randy Wahl officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in McCook.

Memorials can be given in his name and friends may call at Herrmann Funeral Home, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday, 1-6 p.m.