Melford J. “Mel” Willmert, 91, of Frost, died Sunday, July 15, 2012, at United Hospital, Blue Earth. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at United Lutheran Church in Frost, with the Rev. Arne Halbakken officiating. Burial will be in United Lutheran Cemetery, Frost. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Blue Earth is assisting the family with the arrangements. Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.com.

Mel was born Dec. 24, 1920, at the family home in Frost, the son of Julius and Kristi (Hatlestad) Willmert. In 1938 Mel was in the first graduating class at Frost High School; and was the last surviving member of the class. In 1941 Mel cooked for the men hired by Coupanger’s Nursery to cut down Christmas trees in Montana for five weeks at $1/hour. He attended the University of Minnesota and worked in Minneapolis and later California before his marriage to Evelyn H. Jeseritzon Aug. 20, 1949, in Wood Lake. The couple lived in California where Mel worked for Fruit Growers Supply Company, a division of Sunkist Growers. In 1956 they moved to Wood Lake where Mel and Evelyn were in the grocery business for about three years. In 1960 he and Evelyn moved to Albert Lea and Mel began working for Investors Diversified Services. The couple retired to Frost in 1973, and Mel worked for the Frost and Blue Earth school districts for a few years. Melford enjoyed music and singing, and through the years sang for many weddings and funerals. Mel was also an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed traveling to Europe, the United States and Alaska.

Melford is survived by his wife, Evelyn Willmert of Frost; his sister, Lorene Campos of Blue Earth; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and one first cousin still living in Norway.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Ronald and Vernal Willmert; and an infant sister.