Melvin P Dumke

Melvin P. Dumke, DDS age 87 of North Mankato, died Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.

Funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Monday at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Mankato with Rev. Gary Wong officiating. Burial will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Visitation will be from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at Mankato Mortuary and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Memorials are preferred to St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church.

Melvin Philip Dumke was born January 23, 1920 in Sleepy Eye. He was the son of Herman Gustav and Elsie Ida (Battig) Dumke. Melvin was a 1937 graduate of Sleepy Eye High School and a 1943 graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. He enlisted in the US Army in 1943, achieved Captain, served in five European Campaigns, and was awarded the Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1946. On June 25, 1950, he was united in marriage to Phyllis Steuck in Chokio, MN.

Melvin practiced dentistry for over 60 years in Sleepy Eye, Morgan, and Mankato. He was an active member of St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, American Legion Post 11, and VFW Post 950. He served as president of the Minnesota Dental Association and the Mankato Lions Club. He had also served on the board of the Belle Plaine Lutheran Home, Martin Luther Academy and many other community and professional organizations.

Survivors include his wife, Phyllis of North Mankato; two daughters, Pam (Larry) Gades Dumke, MD of Maple Grove, Shari (Russ) Larson, JP of McGregor; son, Bruce (Lisa) Dumke, DDS of Prior Lake; six grandchildren, Tim, Naomi, and Andrew Gades, Chloe Larson, Madeleine and Hannah Dumke; one niece and four nephews. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers.

Melvin took comfort in the Lord's promise of eternal life through his faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ.