Melvin "Mel" Lubben

Melvin “Mel” Cecil Lubben, 96, of Webster City, died on Sunday, September 1, 2019, At Paula Baber Hospice House, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Private family services will be held at a later date. The family has chosen Boman Funeral Home (www.bomanfh.com) to care for their needs.

Mel was born on September 9, 1922, in Huntsville Township Near Golden, Illinois, to Henry and Kathrine (Rosendale) Lubben. He attended high school in Golden, Illinois where he played on the basketball team. Melvin served as a PFC in the Army from 1943 – 1945. Mel was a crane operator for Garden- Denver Compressor company in Quincy, IL for 38 years, retiring in 1984. He was a member of the Machinists Union.

He was united in marriage to Rita Elaine Ahren on May 10, 1946, in Golden, IL. Mel and Rita were members of Luther Memorial Church from the time they were married until they moved to Webster City to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren. While a member he served as the only usher for many years during their Saturday evening services, he also volunteered in the church pantry and clothes closet. Mel and Rita delivered meals on wheels for 25 years.

He was a loyal Cardinal baseball fan and Quincy Blue Devil basketball team fan, and avid reader, and collector of cut glass.

His family includes: daughter Linda Barrick; five grandchildren: Justin (Emily) Barrick of Leeming, Western Australia, Sara Bidler of Maple Grove, MN, Emily (Steve) Kalpakoff of Moss Beach CA, Alex (Anna) Barrick of Minneapolis, MN and Zach Barrick of Minneapolis, MN; four great-grandchildren: Jonny and Danny of Maple Grove, MN, Rhys and Piper of Leeming, Western Australia. He was preceded in death by his wife Rita; son Mel Jr.; and parents Henry and Kate Lubben.