Wilfred Middendorf

Wilfred H. "Willie" Middendorf, age 77 of Melrose, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, January 22 at his home in Melrose.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 27, 2012 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Military honors will be by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be at 5 p.m. followed by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard at 7 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Wilfred Henry Middendorf was born April 17, 1934 in Melrose, Minnesota to Henry and Loretta (Toenyan) Middendorf. He served in the U.S. Air Force for five years. He married Dorothy Fischer on January 22, 1955 in New Braunfels, TX. Dorothy traveled with Willie during his military term; serving 20 months of that term in Tripoli, North Africa. After the military, the couple moved to Grey Eagle and owned and operated a Café. In 1962, Willie was appointed Postal Service Clerk in Melrose, promoted to Assistant Postmaster in 1966, promoted to Superintendent of Postal Operations in Sauk Centre in 1975, and promoted to Postmaster in Melrose in 1977. He was the City Carrier Route Examiner of the MSC and served on the District Postmaster Selection Board. Willie was active in the community and church affairs. He served six years on the Melrose City Council; two years as president.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council #1633, Chamber of Commerce, Past President of Melrose Lions Club, and Past Commander of Melrose American Legion Post 101. He served on the Melrose Post 101 Housing Committee, served as Americanism Chairman for the Sixth District of the American Legion, and served as member of the Brain Science Committee for the Sixth District of the American Legion. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, member of NAPUS since 1977, County Chairman in 1977, Vice Director of Sixth District from 1978-1980, Director of Sixth District from 1980-1984, First Vice President of Minnesota Chapter from 1984-1985, attended All State Conventions and National Conventions, attended Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. from 1985-1986, and attended Management Conferences.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Middendorf of Melrose; children, Brian (Julie) Middendorf of Grey Eagle, Brenda (Albert) Mueller of Melrose, Gary (Eileen) Middendorf of Melrose, Sharon (Kevin "Chopper") Goebel of Freeport, Kevin Middendorf of Melrose, Joyce Middendorf of Melrose, Jim Middendorf of Melrose, and Karen (Mike) Zirbes of Melrose; 18 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers, Mary Ann Butkowski of Melrose, Viola Meyer of Freeport, Edward "Eddie" (Vicki) Middendorf of Melrose, Arleen (Gerald) Arnzen of St. Rosa, Lawrence "Lornie" (Joyce) Middendorf of Melrose, Kathy (Kenny) Thomes of Melrose, Harriet Froelich of Melrose, and David (Jan) Middendorf of Melrose; and sister-in-law, Sonja Middendorf of Sauk Centre.

Serving as casket bearers will be Eric Goebel, Chris Goebel, Jeremy Goebel, Nathan Goebel, Corey Mueller, Joseph Mueller, Cody Middendorf, John Reimann, and Justin Middendorf. Cross bearer will be Tenisha Zirbes and scripture bearer will be Brittany Goebel. Gift bearers will be Jennifer Thomes, Kayla Goebel, and Melissa Mueller. Readers will be Stacy Goebel and Becky Reimann. Petitions will be read by Judy Mueller and the eulogy read by Sarah Athmann.