Melvin Hjetland died Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at The Pines in Hiawatha, Kansas. He was 97-years-old.

Mr. Hjetland was born on August 1, 1921, to Perry and Sophia Hjetland of Everest, Kansas. He lived all of his life on the family farm near Everest, until a move with his wife, Helen, to Hiawatha in 1989.

Melvin graduated from Everest High School in 1939. On April 24, 1949, he was united in holy matrimony with Helen Hendrickson of St. Joseph, Missouri.

Mr. Hjetland spent his entire career as a local farmer, growing corn and soybeans. Early in his farming life, he also raised cows, hogs, and chickens.

A life-long member of the Upper Wolf Lutheran Church, Mr. Hjetland loved telling jokes, eating lemon drops, and enjoying homemade cherry pie. After retiring from the farm, you could find him tinkering in the garage as well as repairing and selling found lawnmowers.

In his later years you would often see Melvin going for rides to check out the local farms, occasionally stopping to see how well the year’s crops were doing.

Mr. Hjetland will be missed by all who knew him and especially by his loving family.

As author Sheri Dew once wrote “We are all farmers, tending a little part of the Lord’s vineyard.” We are praying that Melvin is already directing the harvest.

Mr. Hjetland is survived by his children, Jerry (Joyce) Hjetland of Everest, Kansas, Randy (Terri) Hjetland of Calera, Alabama, Peggy Hjetland (Bob) Kaiser of Shawnee, Kansas, his nephew, Bob (Cheryl) Hjetland, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his wife, parents, and his siblings, Lehman Hjetland and Margurete Hjetland.

Melvin will lie in state from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2019 and from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Friday, June 21, 2019 at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha. The family will have a private burial and a memorial service will be held sometime in the future to allow for family members to make travel arrangements.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Upper Wolf Lutheran Church and may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S. 7th St. Hiawatha, KS 66434.