Mel Heere, 99, lifelong Minot resident, died on Monday, December 10, 2018 in a Minot hospital.

Melvin Vernon Heere was born on August 16, 1919 in Devils Lake, ND to Archibald and Bernice (Hunsley) Heere.  He was raised and educated in Minot and graduated from Minot High School in 1937.  He continued his education at Minot State College for two years prior to enlisting in the Army National Guard.  His unit of the National Guard was activated on April 1, 1941 and he served until November  of 1945.  Following his honorable discharge from the military he returned to Minot prior to enrolling at Dakota Business College in Fargo.

Mel married Lena Sateren on December 28, 1945 in Minot.  They made their home in Minot where he was employed at Stearns Enterprises, First Presbyterian Church, partnered with Reub Forsberg in the operation of Reub's Photo and served as Secretary for the Masonic organizations in Minot.  Also, he was employed by American National Bank in St. Paul and retired from National Share Data of Dallas as their regional marketing manager in 1985.  He had continued to reside in Minot most recently at Edgewood Vista.  Lena died on March 25, 2017.

Mel was a longtime member of the Minot Presbyterian Church where he served on the church council.  Also, he was a longtime and active member of the Star in the West Lodge of the Masons and member of the Elks Lodge and Kiwanis Club.  His hobbies and special interests included traveling, photography and his hockey family.

Mel's loving family includes his children:  Arlene (Donald) Eslinger of Minot, Gary (Pam) Heere of Redmond OR, Patricia (Fred) Andruchuk of Manchester NH and Glen Heere (Theodora Krc) of Bryan TX; grandchildren:  John Heere, Nicole Martinez, Ian Andruchuk, Mike and Jason Eslinger; great grandchildren:  O'Malley and Caelton Eslinger  as well as Niko and Kai Martinez; sister: Valerie Priess of Minot and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sisters: Ardis and Arlene and brother-in-law: Richard Priess.

The family would like to especially thank all of Mel's caregivers and his friend Ron Penfold.

Celebration of the Life of Mel Heere:  Friday, December 14, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in Cornerstone Presbyterian Church - Minot.
Interment will be in Rosehill Memorial Park - Minot.
Visitation:  Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Shriner's Hospital for Children.

Heere Flower Pictures