Melvin Vietz

     Melvin Marvin, son of Louie and Carrie (Fandrich) Vietz, was born November 25, 1936, in Bismarck, North Dakota. He grew up at McClusky, North Dakota where he attended school through the eighth grade. He then worked as a farm hand around North Dakota. When Melvin was 20 years old, he was on his dad’s farm when a gasoline explosion occurred and left him with 3rd degree burns on 75 percent of his body with lasting effects to his legs. Melvin was told he would never walk again and was in a wheelchair for 5 months.

     On April 9, 1968, Melvin was united in marriage with Beverly Anne Yabsley in Mandan, North Dakota. Melvin and Beverly lived in Mandan where Melvin took over the ambulance service from his twin brother Alvin and also worked as an orderly in the hospital. In 1969, Melvin and Beverly bought a home in Mandan. For a couple of years in the early 1970s, Melvin and his cousin Delmar Vietz owned and operated a Mobil Service Station on Main Street in Mandan. In August of 1979, he sold the ambulance service and purchased a Dyna Kleen business in Lincoln, Nebraska which he operated for many years. In the summer of 2015, Melvin and Beverly moved to Manilla, Iowa to be closer to their daughter. Toward the end of 2018, Melvin’s health started to decline and he moved to Accura HealthCare of Carroll where Beverly had been since April of 2018 due to a stroke.

     On Saturday, August 17, 2019, Melvin passed away at Accura HealthCare of Carroll, Iowa, at the age of 82 years, 9 months and 22 days of age.

     Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers his twin Alvin and Donald; three sons: Cleon Vietz, Jeff Rimpley, and Melvin Vietz Jr (Stillborn).

     He is survived by his wife Beverly Vietz; a daughter Brenda (Gerald) Swanson; three sons: Mylo Vietz, Tony Rimpley and Gene Rimpley; 15 grandchildren; three sisters: Donna Mae Vietz, Connie Vietz and Jane Vietz; two half-sisters: Renetta and Shelly Vietz; and his ex-wife Videll Davis.

Officiating

Kindred Hospice Chaplain