Melvin Tinklenberg

On Friday October 14, 2022 Mel Tinklenberg, surrounded by the music and words of “Jesus Loves Me” slipped quietly into the arms of his Savior.

Melvin Curtiss Tinklenberg age 81, was born on July 11, 1941, in Edgerton, MN to Peter and Hattie Tinklenberg. As a child his parents moved to Princeton, MN and then to the rural Milaca, Pease area.

Mel attended the Pease Christian School and then Milaca High School. As a teenager he left school and worked for his dad at the Milaca Hatchery. Up before the ‘crack of dawn’, he drove truck from small town Milaca into Minneapolis delivering fresh product.

Mel married Lois Weber and became the father of three children: Carol, Jeffrey and Michelle. He was a dedicated and hard worker, determined to provide for his family. When his place of employment, Fingerhut Corporation, in Princeton, MN, burned to the ground, his choice was to be left without a job or to follow the company to the St. Cloud, MN location. Mel made the difficult choice to move his young family, rather than risk unemployment. He worked for Fingerhut until his retirement, serving the same company, starting as teenager, to his retirement. After 42 years, he received their award as their longest term employee in the history of the company!!! He served them well, served his family well and grew himself along the way!!

To his great credit he returned to studies, and received a high school diploma! When computers were born, Fingerhut Corporation offered Mel a training opportunity, to be their first ‘Computer Person’ and served as their Computer Programmer for the last 25+ years of his employment.

Mel enjoyed outdoor activities, fishing, camping, yard work and other projects, He dearly loved his church, attended and served it faithfully .

In the ‘Fall Season’ of his life he settled in Somerville, TX, where he met his last love Pat, they were married in 2004, and enjoyed life together in their charming Little Log House!:

Mel is survived by his son, Jeffrey (Beth) of Brainerd, MN; daughter Michelle (Larry) of Kingsland, TX; Sister Marcia Ruis (Ron Kragt) of Milaca, MN; Brothers: Elywn (Teri) of Blaine, MN; Myron  (Laurie) of Milaca, MN; Grandchildren: Cassandra, Benjamin, Christopher and Stetson, 6 Great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly, as well as relatives and friends.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Hattie Tinklenberg, wife, Pat and daughter, Carol.

If you knew Mel, be thankful to have known such a dependable, kind, and caring person.