Funeral services for Melvin Henry Hobbiebrunken, 87, of Albert Lea will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Grace Lutheran Church. The Rev. Shane Koepke will officiate. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by local servicemen’s organizations. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Melvin died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017.

Melvin Henry Hobbiebrunken was born Sept. 17, 1930, in Mason City, the son of Henry and Vera (Overbeck) Hobbiebrunken. He attended School District 72 for grade school and then Owatonna High School. Melvin served in the U.S. Army from September 1948 through April 1952. He was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant first class.

On Dec. 30, 1951, Melvin married Arlene Ellen Madson at the parsonage in Hartland. They lived in Freeborn County, farming until 1980, when they moved to Texas. They returned to Minnesota in 2005. Melvin was involved in his churches, both in Minnesota and Texas. Melvin was a member of the Lions and Kiwanis when he returned to Minnesota. He enjoyed early morning coffee with his buddies at McDonald’s to catch up with town news or farming.

Melvin is survived by his wife, Arlene; children Ramona Hobbiebrunken, Linda (Steve) Herdina and Michael (Monica) Hobbiebrunken; grandchildren Bradley (Laura) Giebel, Dawn (Alex) Kelling, David (Maxine Gilliam) Giebel, Phillip (Irma) Herdina, Paul (Katherine Smith) Giebel, Kevin (Brittany) Hobbiebrunken and Brian Hobbiebrunken; eight great-grandchildren, Penny, Garrett and Aaron Giebel, Clay, Zack, Allena and Christian Herdina, and Toas Hobbiebrunken; three step-great-grandchildren, Lucy, Kaysen and Trinity; sister, Darlene Avise; brothers-in-law Jimmy Madson, Jim Parker and Larry Madson; sisters-in-law Jane Madson, Lonna Parker and Deb Madson; nieces and nephews; several cousins and other extended family.

Melvin was preceded in death by grandparents Johan and Elisabeth Hobbiebrunken and John and Alma Overbeck; uncle, Alvin Overbeck; parents Henry and Vera; brother-in-law, Dale Avise; and niece, Doreen Christenson.