Melvin H. Schwanke
March 14, 1926 - December 17, 2018
Melvin H. Schwanke, age 92, of Fremont
Died Monday December 17, 2018 at home.
Mel was born March 14, 1926 near Leigh, Nebraska to Herman and Anna 'Menke' Schwanke. He grew up on a farm south of Leigh. The family lived in Columbus, Scribner and finally moved to Fremont when Mel was 9 years old. He attended Trinity Lutheran School and graduated from Fremont High School in 1943. After high school Mel enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served from 1944 until 1946. On June 12, 1945 Mel was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart. He returned to Fremont after his military service and on May 12, 1948 he married JoEllen 'Joey' Green. Mel joined Greens Greenhouse Inc., owned by the Green family since 1896.
Mel was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church for 83 years. He was very active in the floral industry both at the national and local level holding many positions including National President of the Society of American Florists for two years and was an executive of the Nebraska Florist Society for 45 years. Mel is also in the Society of American Florist Hall of Fame. Locally, Mel was past President and member of the Fremont Public Schools Board of Education, he was building chairman of the current Trinity Church. He was a member and past president of the Fremont Kiwanis Club, member of the VFW Post 854, American Legion Post 20, Marine Corps League Fremont Detachment #1275, SAF and AIFD.
Survivors:
Wife Joey of Fremont
Children Jo (Andre) Heinz Staffelbach of Dallas, TX.
Cindy (Mac) Gilfry McKown of Fremont
J (Kelly) Schwanke of Grand Rapids
4 Grandchildren Jeremy (Jamie) Gilfry of Omaha and their children, Joey, Jackson, Lillian and Lidia
Jon (Dawn) Gilfry of Fremont and their children Emerson and Adler
Madison of Steamboat Springs, CO.
Blayre of Omaha
Sister-in-law Lorraine Schwanke of Fremont
Faithful care giver Tricia Wyman of Fremont
Many nieces and nephews.
Mel was preceded in death by his parents, brother, sister and daughter-in-law Lori Schwanke.
The funeral will be 1pm Friday, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fremont, the Revs. Dan Heuer and Anthony Gerber will officiate. Burial with Military Honors by the United States Marine Corps and Fremont Honor Guard (VFW Post 854 & American Legion Post 20) will follow in Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, from 3pm to 7pm with the family present from 5pm to 7pm at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel in Fremont. Memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church and School.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Obituary Provided By:
1249 E. 23rd St.
Fremont, NE 68025
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