Melvin Bissen

Melvin John Bissen was born September 18, 1916, in Defiance, Iowa to Paul and Mary (Heinzlmier) Bissen. He was raised in Defiance and graduated from Defiance High School in 1935. Melvin married Marie Schomer in 1941 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa. The couple was blessed with three daughters. Melvin worked in the Harlan area from 1935~1942. He was then drafted into the United States Army. After his honorable discharge, the couple returned to Dunlap and farmed west of town. They moved into town and Melvin started his own heavy equipment business. He retired from this in 1978. Marie died in June of 1993. Melvin married Georgia Ann Nichols on May 20, 1995. The couple made their home in Dunlap.

Melvin was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and the American Legion in Dunlap. He was an avid fan of baseball. He also enjoyed wood crafts, flower gardening, dancing, and playing cards. For a time, he raised finches. He also loved to travel.

Melvin died on Tuesday, January 11, 2011, at the Dunlap Nursing and Rehab Center at the age of 94 years, three months and 24 days.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Marie Bissen; daughter, Melinda Bissen; brother, Don Bissen; and sister, Sister Leona Bissen. He is survived by his wife, Georgia Ann Bissen of Dunlap, Iowa; two daughters, Mary (Gary) Klein of Memphis, Tennessee, Judy (Dave) Alexander of Spokane, Washington; three step-children, Larry (Gail) Nichols of Garden City, Kansas, Paul (Diane) Nichols of Dunlap, Iowa, Jim (Karyl) Nichols of Panama City, Florida; 15 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; three brothers, Joe Bissen of Clarinda, Iowa, Paul (Martha) Bissen of Harlan, Iowa, Kenny (Alma) Bissen of Lebanon, Tennessee; six sisters, Stella Hodapp of Woodland, Texas, Rita Benjamin of Whiting, Iowa, Armella (Germain) Reding, Theresa Simmons, Margaret Adams all of Omaha, Nebraska, Marie Jans of Harlan, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial
10:30 am Saturday, January 15, 2011
St. Patrick's Catholic Church
Dunlap, Iowa

Celebrant
Rev. Howard Fitzgerald

Musicians
Fran Klein
Don Thompson

Honorary Pall Bearers
Jeff Behrens ~ Mike Dotzler ~ Russ Klein
Harold Melby ~ Danny Steele
Craig Weis ~ Nick Behrens

Pall Bearers
Jay Klein ~ Jeff Klein ~ Damon Nichols
Mark Nichols ~ Craig Nichols ~ Doug Nichols
Trent Nichols ~ Jimmy J. Nichols ~ Mitch Nichols
Dylan Nichols ~ Mike McKenna

Military Graveside Rites
Dunlap American Legion Post #224

Final Resting Place
Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Dunlap, Iowa