Melvin "Mel" Gene Mason

Melvin "Mel" Gene Mason, age 91, of Willmar, passed away Monday morning, March 10, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 17, at United Lutheran Church in Lake Lillian. Interment will be at Tromso Cemetery near Lake Lillian. Military honors will be provided by the Willmar American Legion Post #167. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Tromso Cemetery Association are preferred.  Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Mel “Tubby” was born on January 20, 1934, in Mankato, Minnesota, the last of ten children to Samuel and Josephine (Pierce) Mason. He grew up and received his education in Mankato. In 1952, Mel enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. 1st Sgt Melvin Mason was a proud Marine and served his country for 20 years. He was a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars. Mel proudly displayed his service by the hat he wore on his head and the license plate on his car, among many other things. On September 6, 1958, Mel was married to Irene Fischer. After his honorable discharge, they made their home in the Lake Lillian community. He owned and operated a blacksmith shop in Lake Lillian for a couple years and retired as a Machinist from Willmar Manufacturing. Mel served as Mayor of Lake Lillian for 12 years. He was a member of the United Lutheran Church in Lake Lillian, the Lake Lillian American Legion Post #0615 and was a life member of the Mankato V.F.W. Post #950. His love for all family was of most importance. Mel was described as a sweet handsome man with the best smile. He was also a wonderful storyteller right until the very end.

He is survived by his five children, Lee (and Cheryl) Mason of Silver Lake, Kathleen (and Larry) Kleindl of Willmar, Jeannette (and Doug) Bakken of Northfield, Joan (and John) Archer of Zimmerman and Becky (and Justin Nissen) of New Auburn; twelve grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, besides other relatives, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; two sisters, Mary and Charlotte; and seven brothers, James, William, Lloyd, Norman, Theodore, Charles and Robert.