Melvin J. Fernau

Melvin G. Fernau, age 101, New Underwood, died Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Center of New Underwood.

 

Melvin Fernau was born June 2, 1916, in Long Pine, Neb., to Edward and Sylvia (Bowman) Fernau. He lived in rural Ainsworth, Neb.,  until 1928 and at the age of 12 his family moved to Elm Springs, and resided there for two years. In the spring of 1931, the family moved to a farm near New Underwood and he finished the eighth grade at the Pivney School. He graduated from New Underwood High School in 1935. Melvin helped his father farm until 1938 he then joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and was stationed at Orman Dam near Belle Fourche. There he received training as a radio operator and electrician. He achieved the rank of senior leader and was discharged in January 1942. February 28, 1942, Melvin married Gertrude Stover at Chadron, Neb. He was inducted into the U.S. Army March 6, 1942 and stationed for much of the war time in Presidio, San Francisco, as a radio operator. One son, Dennis, was born in September 1943. Melvin was honorably discharged January 1946.

 

In the fall of 1946 he was employed by the New Underwood School District as a full-time custodian a job he held for the next 36 years. His job in addition to cleaning and maintaining the school building was shoveling a 100 ton of coal per year into the furnaces during the cold winters and shoveling snowdrifts from sidewalks before school in the mornings. During the mid 1950s, when Melvin came into the school covered with snow and frost, the students gave him the nickname of “Frosty” which stuck with him the rest of his life. During the late 50s and into the 60s Melvin also served as treasurer for the City of New Underwood.

 

In 1966, his father passed away and Melvin began farming and caring for livestock on the Fernau farm. In addition to the custodial work and farming Melvin cared for Gertrude as she was bedridden with multiple sclerosis. They celebrated 34 years of marriage, she passed away in early 1976. Melvin married Josie Bates, a teacher in the New Underwood school, in the fall of 1977. He retired in 1982 and continued the farming and ranching operation.

 

Melvin was a member of the Sidney Lovejoy American Legion Post 256, the New Underwood Lions Club, the New Underwood UCC Church, the New Underwood Cemetery Board and the New Underwood Senior Citizens. He served as church treasurer and caretaker and treasurer of the cemetery for many years.

 

Melvin is survived by his son, Dennis (Janet) Fernau; granddaughters, Stephanie (David) Asman, Rachelle (Scott) Roberts; five great-grandchildren, Kyle and Brigham Asman, Savannah, Cade Forrest and Easton Roberts; and one sister-in-law, Charlotte Stover; one brother-in-law, Jerald (Bonnie) Bates and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by wives Gertrude and Josie; one brother, Arthur; three sisters, Elora Fenner, Doris Jacoby; infant sister, Marion, and his parents.

 

Visitation is from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, at Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home.    A celebration of life is at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, at the New Underwood school gym. 

 

Burial will be at the New Underwood Cemetery followed by a dinner at the New Underwood Community Center.

 

Condolences may be conveyed to the family at behrenswilson. com