Harold Orville Mellenthin

Harold Orville Mellenthin, aged 100 of rural Marshall, MN passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 6th at his home. A visitation will take place on Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Horvath Remembrance Center in Marshall, MN. Following the visitation, family and friends are invited to attend a memorial celebration at the Mellenthin Farm where Harold was born, lived his life, and took his final breath.

Harold was born on October 31, 1925 to Ernest and Hattie Mellenthin on the farm in Lynd Township where he grew up, raised a family and lived out his life. He attended country school District 17 from 1931 through 1936 and began attending Lynd Public school in the sixth grade, graduating from Lynd High School in 1943. He was confirmed as part of the first class of conferments at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marshall in 1938.

Harold enlisted in the National Guard in 1947. He and Elaine Sprink were married on June 29, 1950. He was called to active duty in 1950, during the Korean War, serving as a Sargent 1st Class at Fort Rucker, Alabama. He was honorably discharged on May 16, 1952. He and Elaine and their young family moved back to the family farm, where they raised their family and spent nearly 62 years together.

Harold worked from 1960-1970 for the ACSC and then worked for the Lyon Soil and Water Conservation District for 23 years, retiring in 1994. He was proud to say that he helped plant thousands of trees for windbreaks across Lyon County during his years with the Conservation District. He served on the Lynd Township Board for 17 years and represented Lynd Township in the formation of the SW Regional Development Commission.

Harold was a very kind man who preferred a simple life. He often said his philosophy in life was to just try to “stay in the middle of the road”. He took great pride in living on the farm and the fact that six generations of Mellenthins have farmed the land he was born on. He loved his family and took great pride in every one of them. In his softspoken way, he provided a strong sense of roots and family that run deeply among the generations that live on. He was a special man and a gift to those who knew and loved him. He was a historian with an amazing memory for people and events in the area right up until his final days. He was often sought out by those seeking to learn a bit of history about the area or families that lived here and loved sharing stories from the past.

Harold is survived by his children Debbie Mellenthin of Dubois, Wyoming; Jon Mellenthin (Pat) of Marshall; Polle Hauge of Marshall; Scott Mellenthin (Jane) of Marshall; grandchildren Jes Mellenthin (Andrea), Tara Plante (Shane), Cody Mellenthin (Mandy), Taylor Mellenthin (Chelsea), Claire Meyer (Dan), Brady Mellenthin (Lauren); great grandchildren Mason, Kaleb, Lincoln, Chase, Talan, Piper, Tate, Josie, Max, August, Callahan and Nolan; and great, great granddaughter Rune; nephews Mathew Mellenthin, Joe Mellenthin, and Sean Maloney.

He was preceded in death by his wife , Elaine, parents Ernest and Hattie; sister Colleen Mellenthin, brother Arthur Mellenthin and sister Arlene Maloney, grandson Joshua, granddaughter Sara, and many dear family, friends and neighbors. He lamented often that the only downfall of living such a long life was losing so many friends and loved ones along the way.