Melvin George Muhlhausen

Melvin George Muhlhausen, 82, of Red Wing, died Monday, June 8, 2015, surrounded by family at his home, following a brief battle with cancer.
Melvin was born on February 24, 1933 in Prescott, WI, the son of Clarence and Ethel (Nadeau) Muhlhausen. He graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1951. He later attended St. Paul Vocational Technical night school to learn the machinist trade. He married Gail Andersen on July 30, 1953 in Ellsworth, WI.
Melvin started his long career with NSP on April 1, 1954, working as a meter reader. In 1959 he transferred to shift work at the High Bridge Plant in St. Paul. He later became a boiler operator and then a machinist. Melvin retired on April 1, 1990 as maintenance supervisor at the Prairie Island Nuclear Plant.
Melvin was very proud of obtaining his Chief Engineers Class A License with Unlimited Horse Power designation. He was a hard worker with a very ingenious and inventive mind, which bordered on genius. He was the kind of fellow that could figure out how to do something when no one else could and was very much a perfectionist in every aspect of his life. Melvin built his own steam engine, loved restoring tractors and working in the fields. He was a “jack of all trades and master of most”.
Melvin was a member of Bethel Covenant Church, Ellsworth, WI.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Gail, of Red Wing, MN.
Three daughters: Sandy (George Stewart, Jr.) Muhlhausen, South St. Paul, MN;
Cheryl Hemphill, Red Wing, MN; Nancy (Dean) Bystrom, Ellsworth, WI.
Five grandchildren: Jason and Christopher Bystrom; Sarah Cook; and Samuel and Izaac Hemphill.
Two great-grandchildren: Johnathan and Cassidy Cook.
Two sisters and three brothers: Violet Nelson, Cannon Falls, MN; Merle (Edwin) Sjostrom, Maiden Rock, WI; Emil (Patricia) Muhlhausen, Rapid City, SD; Marvin (Barbara) Muhlhausen, Hanover, PA; Everett (Barb) Muhlhausen, Ellsworth, WI.
He is further survived by nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Preceding him in death were his parents Clarence and Ethel, sister in-law Sue Ann Muhlhausen and brother in-law Carl Nelson.

A memorial service for Melvin will be held at 11:00am, Friday, June 19, 2015 at Bethel Covenant Church, Ellsworth, WI. Burial will be in the Burnside Cemetery, Red Wing. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service on Friday. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.
Hill Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Ellsworth, WI is serving the family.