Melvin A. Fladeboe
Sept. 22, 1918 - Nov. 1, 2006
WILLMAR -- Melvin A. Fladeboe, 88, of Willmar died Wednesday at his home.
The service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar. Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Cloverleaf Cemetery, with military honors by American Legion Post 167 and VFW Post 1639.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar and for one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are preferred to Vikor Church Memorial.
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He was born Sept. 22, 1918, in Willmar to Anna J. (Flatebo) and Martin S. Fladeboe. He attended District 76 school in Dovre Township. He graduated from Willmar High School in 1935. He attended the Willmar Business College for one year and then worked for DeRuyter Construction and the REA. He was drafted early in 1941 and served in the 217th Coast Artillery. He volunteered and was selected by the Army Air Corps to attend cadet training. He was trained as a navigator and finished 25 missions in a B-17. He attained the rank of captain and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service.
He married Marian "Min" Erickson on Oct. 24, 1944, in Svea. He began working for the Kandiyohi County Highway Department in 1946 and eventually became a registered highway engineer. He retired as the Kandiyohi County Highway Engineer in 1981.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 167, VFW Post 1639, National Society of Engineers, the 8th Air Force Historical Society, the Vikor Memorial Association, and served on the Willmar Planning Commission. He also served as the chief lutefisk cook at Vinje Lutheran Church for many years.
He is survived by his wife; children: Gene (and Julie) of Mankato, Gerald (and Nancy) of Spicer, Karen (and Dean) Erickson of Benson; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one brother: Allen Fladeboe of Pierre, S.D.
He was preceded in death by one brother.
