Erika Anna Kolz and Melvin Lee Bruder

MELVIN LEE BRUDER, son of MARY MELVINA STREET and EDGAR FRANKLIN BRUDER, was born May 17, 1926 in La Crosse, LaPorte, Indiana,^{456, 4917} and died June 21, 2011 in Valparaiso, Porter, Indiana.^{456, 4931} He is buried in Graceland Memorial Park, Valparaiso, Porter, Indiana.^{507, 456}

He married ERIKA ANNA KOLZ on January 17, 1946 in Germany.⁵⁰⁷ She was born May 27, 1925 in Waiblingen, Germany,^{456, 4931} and died July 28, 2001 in Westville, LaPorte, Indiana.^{456, 4931} She is buried in Graceland Memorial Park, Valparaiso, Porter, Indiana.^{456, 4931}

• Descendant Reports
  • William Scott Descendant Report (Ancestor of Melvin L. Bruder)

Children of ERIKA ANNA KOLZ and MELVIN LEE BRUDER:

1. Son
2. Daughter

Personal Information

Melvin L. Bruder

• graduated from LaCrosse High School, Indiana, 1944⁵⁰⁷
• was a carpenter⁵⁰⁷
• was a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church, Wanatah, LaPorte, Indiana. ⁵⁰⁷
• was a US Army Veteran of World War II; awarded Bronze Star Medal⁴⁵⁶

Clubs and Associations

Obituaries

Northwest Indiana Times, June 23, 2011⁵⁰⁷

Melvin Lee Bruder, age 85, of Valparaiso, formerly of LaCrosse, passed away peacefully at his son's home, Tuesday, June 21, 2011. He was born May 17, 1926 in LaCrosse to Edgar and Mary (Street) Bruder and graduated from LaCrosse High School in 1944. He served with the U.S. Army in Germany during WW II and was awarded the Bronze Star medal. Melvin made his career as a carpenter with the Hobart Local Carpenters Union, was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Wanatah, lifetime member of American Legion Post #94 and VFW Post #988 in Valparaiso, LaCrosse Lions Club for over 50 years, Moose Lodge, and had served as a VNA Hospice volunteer for the last nine years. On January 17, 1946 in Germany, he married Erika "Ricky" Kolz who preceded him in death in 2001. Survivors include their children: Rosita (Marion) Klodzinski of South Bend and Gerald (Lois) Bruder of Valparaiso; sister, Joyce Pomeroy of Valparaiso; grandchildren: Lori Shelby (fiance, Duane Cassoday), Jeffery (Rhea) Bruder, Melissa (Sam) Patterson, and Kevin (Amanda) Klodzinski; great grandchildren: Makalya, Steffani, Hunter, Ryan, Jackson, Jessica, and Kristina; two great-great grandsons: Daniel and Logan; and sisters-in-law: Ida Bruder, Wilma Bruder, Anneliese Moreau, and Inge Doerr. He was also preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters: Reba, Clyde, Bud, Dale, Bob, Mary, and Ina Mae. A funeral service will be held Friday, June 24, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, 15496 S. 900 W., Wanatah with Rev. Joel S. Zipay officiating. Burial at Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Kosanke Funeral Home, 105 Indiana Ave., Kouts. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church or VNA Hospice of Porter County.

Census Records

Date	Location	Enumerated Names
April 7, 19302242	Pleasant, Porter, Indiana	Edgar Franklin Bruder Mary Melvina Street Chauncey Glenn Bruder Clyde Raymond Bruder Ina Mae Bruder Mary Bruder Thelma Joyce Bruder Russell Dale Bruder Robert Wesley Bruder Melvin Lee Bruder
April 9, 19402690	Dewey, LaPorte, Indiana	Edgar Franklin Bruder Mary Melvina Street Chauncey Glenn Bruder Clyde Raymond Bruder Russell Dale Bruder Robert Wesley Bruder Melvin Lee Bruder