Services: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, 10:30 a.m. Bentley Funeral Home, Durant. Visitation: 4-7 p.m. today, funeral home.

STOCKTON, Iowa — Melvin J. “Mel”  Riessen, 90, of Stockton, died Monday, Feb. 23, 2009, at ManorCare Health Services in Davenport, surrounded by his family.

The Rev. Connie  Markle will officiate.  Musical selections will be provided by organist Dorothy  Gibson and vocalist Henry Bentley.

Casketbearers will be Randy Kenyon, Jeff Brink, Dr. Lonnie Uso, Josh Riessen, Zack Riessen and Russ Wagoner

Interment will take place at the Walcott Cemetery, Walcott.

Memorial donations may be made to Walcott Fire Department and Walcott Lions Club in his memory.

Online remembrances and condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com

Mr. Riessen was born Aug. 1, 1918,  in Muscatine County, the son of James and Hulda (Jepson) Riessen. He married Ima Schlapkohl Nov. 22, 1941, in Davenport.

He graduated from Davenport High School in 1935.

He farmed for 41 years on the family century farm. He also sold for Kruger Seed Co.

He served on the Walcott School Board for nine years serving as president for six years, during consolidation of the Walcott district. 

He was a member and past president of Walcott Lions Club, 50 year member of the Davenport Moose Lodge and a Fulton Township trustee and clerk. He was a member of the Walcott Community Club and past secretary of the Walcott Fire District.

His favorite pastime was ballroom dancing where he met Ima and they continued to dance well into their 80s. Woodworking and gardening were hobbies through the years and he enjoyed playing cards.  He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes fan.

He is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife, Ima Riessen of Stockton; his daughters, Lynn Kenyon and husband, Don of Lebanon, Ind. and Cheryl  Uso and husband, Dr. Lon of San Juan Capistrano, Calif.; his sons, Terrance Riessen of Stockton and Jack Riessen and wife, Patricia of Urbandale; eight grandchildren; 10 great- grandchildren and a sister, Evelyn Christensen of Davenport.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Elverna White and Bernice Paustian.