Melvin Gerhardt Bartsch

Melvin Gerhardt Bartsch, age 95, of rural Good Thunder passed away on Monday, July 21, 2025.

Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at St. John Lutheran Church, Good Thunder. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at Northview - North Mankato Mortuary and continue one hour before the service at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be at St. John Lutheran Cemetery, rural Rapidan. Livestream of the service will be available at www.mankatomortuary.com.

Melvin was born on August 21, 1929 to Herman and Anna Bartsch in Rapidan Township. He was baptized and confirmed in St. John Lutheran Church, Rapidan. Melvin graduated from Rapidan High School in 1947. In 1949 he was united in marriage to Bonita Ericksen at Calvary Lutheran Church, Rapidan. After their marriage they began their life together on the family farm.

Melvin was a man of strong faith and many talents. He was a farmer who in his golden years loved his horses, and garden; especially enjoying the process of showing it off and giving away everything that it produced. It was a labor of love for him. Before his vision failed, he made countless items out of recycled wood that we all now treasure. When Melvin was unable to drive a car, his Gator became his lifeline. A visit to his farm would almost always guarantee a ride through the woods on the Gator. Melvin loved reminiscing and sharing stories from his youth. He was an inspiration to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Melvin is survived by his seven children, Lynn (Daryl) Lachmiller of Rapidan, MN, Marcy Peterson of Winona, MN, Becky Schroeder of Rogers, AR, Brian (Maria) Bartsch of Good Thunder, MN, David (Lynn) Bartsch of Good Thunder, MN, Amy Gilles of Ellsworth, WI, Sarah (Chris) Miller of Good Thunder, MN; 23 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his wife, Bonita; his parents; grandson, Matthew Peterson; great-granddaughters, Violet Lachmiller and Everly Gilles; sons-in-law, David Schroeder and William Gilles; brothers, Arno and Leonard; sisters, Irene Kunkel, Leona Garman and Anita Born.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by Mankato Area Funeral Homes.

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.