Melvin Arthur FoldenMay 24, 1926 - June 25, 2012
The sudden and unexpected death of Mr. Melvin "Mel" Arthur Folden of Humboldt, SK, occurred at Humboldt District Hospital on Monday, June 25, 2012. He was 86 years of age. Mel was born on May 24, 1926, to Don and Olga (nee Amble) Folden in his grandfather's house at Daylesford, SK. He was raised on the farm and attended Stuckel School. After completing Grade 10, Mel stayed home and helped on the family farm. In 1950, he married Lois Ebert at Lake Lenore. Seven children, four sons and three daughters, were born to them. Mel's family was always his pride and joy. For the first five years of their life together, Mel and Lois lived on the Folden family farm, then purchased their own farm two miles away, and resided there for the next 28 years. In 1968, Mel became a councillor for the R.M. of Lake Lenore, a position he held for approximately 30 years. In 1983, he and Lois bought a house in Humboldt, where they resided for 29 years before moving into Caleb Village late in the fall of 2011. Mel continued to help with the farming operation until this past year. Throughout his life, Mel was a keen outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. As well, he was an avid sports fan and particularly loved hockey, baseball and curling, both as a participant and as a spectator. After moving to Humboldt, Mel took up golfing also. A man with a volunteering spirit, Mel was very active and dedicated to the Humboldt Senior Citizens Club in Humboldt, serving as president for a number of years, was involved with the Meals on Wheels program for 20 years, and chauffeured others to their various medical appointments. In his "leisure" time, he and Lois pursued their love of traveling, and made trips throughout Canada and the United States, as well as to Mexico, Cuba, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Mel had a passion for photography and always had his camera with him on those excursions, leaving a legacy of movies and memories which Lois and their family can enjoy over and over again. Mel will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife, Lois (nee Ebert) Folden of Humboldt, SK; seven children: Calvin (Paulette) Folden of Calgary, AB; Linda (Richard) Kiedrowski of Humboldt; Douglas (Shirley) Folden of Melfort, SK; Wayne (Jackie) Folden of Lake Lenore, SK; Yvonne (Darrel) Doepker of Regina, SK; Lyle (Vivianne) Folden of St. Brieux, SK; and Lesa (Wayne) Altrogge of Pike Lake, SK; 19 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one brother, Russell (Gloria) Folden of Melfort; sisters-in-law: Frances Folden of Pleasantdale, SK; Nelda (Bud) Braun of Humboldt; and Maxine (Mike) Brooks of Queen Creek, Arizona; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Don and Olga (nee Amble) Folden; and by one brother, Bob Folden. The Funeral Service for Mel was held at Westminster United Church, Humboldt, on Friday, June 29, 2012, at 2:00 p.m., officiated by Rev. Brenda Curtis. Others taking part were: David Ebert, eulogist; Lindsay Folden and Raelean Altrogge, readers; Darrel Doepker, Wayne Altrogge and Richard Kiedrowski, ushers; Shirley Folden, Jackie Folden, Vivianne Folden and Paulette Folden, memorial table attendants; and Joan Jackson, organist. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Mel's life". Active pallbearers were Calvin Folden, Linda Kiedrowski, Doug Folden, Wayne Folden, Yvonne Doepker, Lyle Folden and Lesa Altrogge. Interment followed at Humboldt Public Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to either the Westminster United Church Fund, the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Humboldt Senior Citizens Club. Condolences to the family may be emailed to [email protected]. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
