Melvin L. Sutter age 95 of Detroit Lakes, MN died Saturday May 8, 2010 at his residence under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Melvin Louis Sutter was born on June 22, 1914 in Detroit Lakes, MN to John and Ida Lorine Sutter, and baptized into the membership of Trinity Lutheran Church. He graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1931. He then worked in the construction business with his father until being drafted into the U.S. Army in July of 1942. Melvin served as a medic attached to General Patton’s 3 Army until October of 1945. Following his discharge from the Army he attended Dunwoody Institute, graduating in 1948. On October 2, 1949 he was united in marriage to Evelyn E. Swenson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes. He worked as a building contractor in the Detroit Lakes area until 1967, and built numerous homes and businesses in the area. He was then hired to teach building construction at the Detroit Lakes Vocational and Technical School until retiring in 1979. Melvin was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, serving as Sunday school superintendent and teacher. He also sang in the church choir for over 50 years and was a member of the Church Council for six years. He led the Men’s Club for eight years and researched and wrote a history of the church for the centennial. He had a great appreciation for God’s world, and enjoyed time spent outdoors with his family. He was a birdwatcher, an avid fisherman, and continued to garden well into his 90’s.

Melvin is survived by Evelyn, his wife of sixty years, one daughter, Nancy (Curt) Jenson, of Erskine, MN; three sons, Joel (Dorothy) Sutter, of Denver, CO; Paul (Julia) Sutter, of Mpls, MN; Steve Sutter, of Laramie, WY; eight grandchildren, Ann (Russell) Johnson, David (Carolyn) Jenson, Robert Jenson, Rebecca (Mike) Michaud, Daniel Sutter, Laura Sutter, Rachel Sutter, and Megan Sutter; two great grandchildren, Josie Johnson and Oliver Jenson; one sister, Margaret Koep, of Windom, MN; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, John Sutter; one sister, Elna Sutter; and three brothers, Rev. Harold Sutter, Rudolph Sutter, and John Sutter.