Melvin J. Rahe

Melvin John Rahe, 77, formerly of Ellis, passed away on Monday, June 1, 2020 at the Heritage Care Center in Fairbury, NE.  Born September 20, 1942 to Henry and Anna (Haeckert) Rahe.  Melvin was a kind, generous man who didn’t know a stranger.  He served in the Army from April 9, 1964 to April 4, 1966 where he was stationed in Germany as a Construction Machine Operator.  Melvin traveled to the West Coast after he returned from serving in the Army, eventually settling down in Fairbury to work for Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph in 1970.  He worked as a Communication Tech, “Bug Hunter” as he always called it, until he retired on March 1, 1997.  He married Winifred Marie Amundson in Beatrice on January 28, 1977.

Melvin especially enjoyed social engagement with others.  He was a generous storyteller and adored by family, friends, and even new acquaintances.  Melvin was an animal lover and rarely knew a dog he didn’t like or love.  He had many canine companions throughout his life and in retirement and you would always see him with his beloved dog “Whiskey”.  Melvin was a telephone tech by trade but was a real “Jack” of many trades.  He could fix anything.  He was an avid Husker football fan and usually wore his favorite “Husker Red” baseball cap.  He will be remembered fondly.

Melvin is survived by step-sons, Carl (Carol) of Plymouth, Chris (Nancy) of Fairbury; step-daughters Deborah Lichty (Doug) of Endicott, Patricia Lisec (Tracy Ron) of Lincoln, and Sharon Klecan (Mike) of Odell; brother Kenneth Rahe (Ruth) of Belleville, KS; sister-in-law Dolores Rahe of Beatrice; five nieces and two nephews; 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.  Melvin was preceded in death by his spouse; parents; brother Delbert; sister Marjorie.

Services will be Friday, June 5, 2020 at Gerdes-Meyer Chapel in Fairbury.  Public Viewing will be at the funeral home on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Memorials have been established to the Family's Choice.