Dr. Melvin Friedrich Kirchhoff, DVM, of Kenyon, died peacefully on October 22, 2024 at The Pillars of Lakeville in Lakeville, Minnesota.
Melvin was born April 21, 1933, on the family dairy farm in Gibbon, Minnesota. He was the son of Fred A. and Bertha Emma (Bethke) Kirchhoff. His early grade school education was at the nearby Moltke Parochial Lutheran School. Melvin and his identical twin brother Marvin often liked to switch the names on their desks to confuse their teacher. Melvin’s sense of humor remained unchanged ever since.
Melvin graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BS Degree in 1955 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree in 1957. Following graduation, Melvin was employed by the Animal Research Service of the Federal Government and stationed in Mobridge, SD. This job involved monitoring livestock sales barns and working with local veterinarians to help eradicate disease in the beef industry. Much of this work covered five counties on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Melvin was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association, and charter member of the Academy of Veterinary Practice.
In 1957, Melvin married Esther (Kayo) Mattila at Christ Church Lutheran in Minneapolis. Melvin and Kayo moved to Kenyon in 1958 when Melvin joined the Kenyon Veterinary Clinic. After 33 years of working with large and small animals, Melvin retired from the Veterinary Clinic in 1991. During retirement, for many years, Melvin especially enjoyed working on the Kevin Hildebrandt farm during spring planting and fall harvesting.
Throughout his life, Melvin enjoyed time at the family cabin on Ten-Mile Lake, near Hackensack, traveling and golfing with friends and family. Annual Canada fishing trips were highlights with his Kenyon fishing buddies. Inspired by a trip to Door County, Wisconsin in 1985, Melvin had a love for wood carving. Starting first with Loons and then Santa’s. For the next twenty-two years, Melvin would carve and hand paint 20-30 Santa’s each year for family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Kayo; three sons, Mark (Beth) Kirchhoff of Apple Valley, Michael (Terry) Kirchhoff of Sartell and Tom (Sarah) Kirchhoff of Waupaca, WI. Grandchildren; Meg Kirchhoff Singh (Sid), Nell Kirchhoff (Tres Barbatelli), Andrew Kirchhoff and Matthew Kirchhoff.
Besides his parents, Mel was preceded in death by an older sister, Esther Grischkowsky, an older brother, Edwin Kirchhoff and his twin brother, Marvin Kirchhoff.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, November 22nd, at 11 am, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 309 Forest Street, Kenyon, 55946. A luncheon will be served after the service in the church basement, where all are welcome to continue to visit and share stories of Mel’s life.
In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials to the church or to a charity of your choice.
