Mel Loppnow

Melvin "Mel" Loppnow, age 79, of Wayside, passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at his home.
He was born January 20, 1946 at Wayside, Wisconsin, to Walter & Adela (Knuth) Loppnow. He was the only child in his family born in a hospital. He was baptized February 10th that same year. Mel was confirmed on April 10, 1960 at Zion Lutheran Church in Wayside.
He survived falling off and being run over by a tractor at age 4 with only minor bruises.
Mel attended Reedsville High School where he competed in cross country and basketball and was a member of the National Honor Society. Shortly after high school, Mel took over the family dairy farm, purchasing machinery and cattle in 1966, the house in 1968, and the land in 1970.
Mel was blessed to have two great marriages! He met Carol Boeder when she was in 1st grade and he in 2nd grade at Zion Lutheran School. On November 16, 1968, he married Carol at Zion Lutheran Church in Wayside. They had four children together.
In 2000, Mel met Sue Black. On May 25, 2002 they were united in marriage at Zion Lutheran Church in Wayside. They lived in Wayside throughout their marriage.
Mel was a dairy farmer until 1996 when he sold the farm to his son Jason. Following farming, he was custodian at Zion Lutheran Church/School in Wayside for 11 years. During retirement he worked part time as a cashier at Corner Hotspot.
Mel was an active member in his community. He served on church committees of Stewardship and School Board and sung in the church choir until he no longer could. He was active in the Way-Morr Lions Club over 45 years serving in multiple roles including president twice. He was also a member of Reedsville Jaycees. He loved bowling and playing cards. He bowled actively for 47 years and was proud to have picked the 7-10 split twice noting the first thing you have to do is throw the first ball bad enough to end up with a 7-10 split. He was the director of the All Lutheran Bowling Association for 14 years, and he coached bowling for more than 10 years. He enjoyed playing sheepshead and euchre, being in a card club for over 54 years.
Survivors include his wife, Sue; his four children, David Loppnow of Brillion, Keith (Andrea) Loppnow of Columbus, Jody (Mark) Miller of New Holstein, Jason Loppnow of Wayside; 3 grandchildren, Denis Loppnow, Nikolai Loppnow, Andrew Loppnow; his sister, Delores Wordell of Norfolk, NE; his sisters-in-law, Darlene Schmieder, Sandy Schaal, Terri (John) Hagerty, Charlene Jaeger, Lori Jaeger, and his brothers-in-law, Roger (Carol) Boeder, Dan (Kate) Black, Rick (Vicki) Jaeger, Butch Klatkiewicz, Jim (Wanda) Black, Dane (Jennifer) Black. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Walter & Adela Loppnow; his wife, Carol Loppnow; an infant sister, Garnet Loppnow; his brother, Mike Loppnow; five brothers-in-law, Rev. Karl Wordell, Ric Schmieder, Gary Schaal, Craig Cisar, Tom Black, Tim Black; three sisters-in-law, Janice Loppnow, Diane Cisar, Janice Klatkiewicz, and his father-in-law & mother-in-law, Ray & Erna (Schwahn) Boeder.
Family and friends may visit with the family at Zion Lutheran Church, 8378 County Rd W, Greenleaf, on Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. Funeral Services will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Kyle Wangelin will officiating.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the hospice care workers, especially Margaret, Tonya, and Kristen from the Unity Hospice Team. They were angels dressed as nurses.