Melvin Dean Thede, 63, of Reinbeck, Iowa, died Monday, October 29, 2012, at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo, Iowa, from complications of surgery. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Thursday, November 1, 2012, at United Church of Christ in Reinbeck, Iowa, with Pastor Joel Love officiating. Burial will follow at the Reinbeck Cemetery in Reinbeck. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 31, 2012, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at French Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck. Memorials may be directed to the family.
Melvin Dean Thede was born on February 17, 1949 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He was the son of Raymond and Helene (Cheeseman) Thede. Melvin grew up in the Reinbeck community and graduated from Reinbeck High School with the class of 1967. He worked for the Reinbeck Co-op for over 40 years. He married Nyola Anderson on June 22nd, 1974 and they later divorced. Mel was a member of the Reinbeck Fire Dept., past member of Reinbeck School Board, Oak Leaf Country Club, Interfaith Men's Chorus and Reinbeck City Council.
Mel was an avid hunter, fisherman and trapper. His pastime was spent in his garden, making wine, coin collecting, and working with his horses. He held a pilot's license and was a Commodity Broker. He loved spending time with his family, friends and his dog Spike.
Melvin is survived by his life companion, Dawn Larsen; children, Jeremy (Cortney) Thede of Johnston, Traci (Charlie) Trunck of Hudson, Chris (Bethany) Thede of Cedar Falls, Ash (Angie) Larsen of Reinbeck, Audra (Adam) Heineman of Waterloo and Alec Larsen of Dike; six grandchildren, Elyse and Ansley Trunck, Kailey and Kooper Larsen, Drew and Dylan Thede; Brother, Russell (Deb) Thede of Reinbeck and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jesse; and step-mother, Evelyn Thede.