August 14, 1927 - September 09, 2020
Melvin LeRoy Haack of Loveland died at Medical Center of the
Rockies Wednesday, September 9, 2020 after a series of small strokes.
Melvin was born to Paul and Edith (Laue) Haack on August 14, 1927
on their farm near Bird City, Kansas. As he grew up times were hard
through the Great Depression and Dust Bowl years. After serving in the
Army in the amphibian tank corps stationed at Fort Ord, California (1946-
1947), Melvin returned to farming with his father. He took flying lessons
under the GI Bill, earning his private pilot’s license.
Melvin married Mary Jo McDowell on June 6,1948. For 13 years, they
had a wheat and dairy farm where their children Rick, Brenda and Becky
were born.
Wheat allergies prompted Melvin and his family to leave the farm and
move to Loveland, Colorado in 1960 where he purchased a service station,
calling it Mel’s Mobil. In 1961, Mel began his 31 year career as a mail
carrier at the Loveland Post Office.
Mel was a faithful and active member of Zion Lutheran Church
serving as a Stevens Minister for many years. In his lifetime of kind and
compassionate service to others, he delivered Meals on Wheels and
worked at the Community Kitchen. After moving to Loveland’s Good
Samaritan Village, he also donated his time working at their Community
Store. His ultimate gift was tissue donation at the time of his death.
Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, brother Norman and
sister-in-law Vernetta Haack and brother Lyle Haack.
He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Mary Jo; son Rick and wife
Mary Ann of Northglenn, CO; daughter Brenda Fosse and husband Jon of
Loveland; daughter Becky Martin and husband Jack of Gering, NE and
“daughter” Kim Vellekamp of Indio, CA. He is also survived by 10
grandchildren, 10 great- grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Melvin will be inurned at the Zion Lutheran Columbarium. A
Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date when it is safe to do
so.
Memorial donations may be made to Zion Lutheran Church at 815 E.
16th St., Loveland, CO 80538, to Good Samaritan Village of Loveland at
2101 S. Garfield Ave., Loveland, CO 80537 or to a charity of the donor’s
choice.
