Hillard Mehlhop

Funeral Services for Hillard "Lefty" Mehlhop will be on Sunday, November 25, 2012 at 2:00 PM at First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Pastor Marlene Elmstrom will be officiating. Burial will be in Mound Cemetery.

Hillard "Lefty" Mehlhop was the first born son of William and Mathilda (Gruenhagen) Mehlhop of Green Isle, MN; he was born in the Glencoe Hospital on July 17, 1924. His first eight grades of schooling were in the basement of the Lutheran Church in Green Isle and continued at Glencoe High School, graduating with the class of 1942.

Lefty was drafted into Uncle Sam's Service during World War II; from May of 1943 until February of 1946. He served on the USS St. Louis in the Radar Division and was stationed in the Pacific Theatre.

On April 12, 1947, Lefty was united in marriage to Viola Vollmer. She was a great companion during their 65 years of marriage. They made there home in Hosmer and Britton, South Dakota before making a permanent home in Ortonville in 1976.

After an Honorable Discharge, he spent nine months in Minneapolis training to become a Railroad Station Agent. He worked many stations on the Milwaukee Railroad from Hopkins, Minnesota to Mobridge, South Dakota. He continued this work for nearly 38 years before his retirement on July 20, 1984.

Lefty's interests included amateur baseball, playing until age 40. He and his wife then took up golfing which they greatly enjoyed. He also loved hunting; mainly: pheasants, geese and deer. Many of Lefty's hours were spend in his workshop where he enjoyed working with wood; he also spent ample time enjoying the outdoors in the summers: taking care of his lawn, his flowers and the trees.

Lefty was a member of First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville since 1976; he served on the church council for two different terms and for many years as an usher.

Lefty is survived by his wife, Viola; daughter Susan Foster of Rochester, MN; son Randy Mehlhop of Fort Lauderdale, FL; grandson Colin Foster of Jacksonville, FL; one brother Donald and his wife Faye of Green Isle, MN; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Meeting him in his Heavenly home are his parents: William and Mathilda; brothers: Gordon and Victor and sister, Orma.

Mundwiler & Larson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Lefty Mehlhop. To send condolences to the family on-line, visit our website at www.larsonfuneral.com