Melvin L. Alama, age 85, of French Lake died Sunday, January 18, 2015 at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in French Lake with Rev. Orval Wirkkala officiating. Visitation will be held from 3:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, January 23, 2015 at the Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Annandale and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Burial will follow at Our Saviour's Lutheran Cemetery, French Lake. A prayer service and time of sharing will be held at approximately 6:45 p.m. Friday at the funeral chapel.

Melvin Leroy Alama was born February 22, 1929 in French Lake to Frank and Esther (Rissell) Alama. He married the one and only love of his life, Eva Mae Maurer, on January 21, 1956 at the Church of Christ in Kimball. Melvin was a hard worker and was a good provider to his family.  He served our country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.  Over the years, he owned numerous businesses, including a bar in South Haven, Café in Annandale and hot mix plants in Annandale, Ortonville, Alexandria, Sauk Centre and Morris. He enjoyed farming, saunas at the Bajari's and Lampi's, taking vacation to Las Vegas and visiting with friends over coffee. He loved his time with his wife, children, grandchildren and family.

Melvin is survived by his wife of 58 years, Eva of French Lake; children, Colin of Cokato, Melvin Patrick (Katherine Ann) of Annandale, Ethel Grythe of Cannon Falls, Milo (Deb), Lester (Carol Symalla), Martin, Deanna (Daron Walter), Gene (Stacy), Dave, Jerry, and Henry all of Annandale; siblings, Hazel Barnard of Lake City, Audrey Selin of Minneapolis, and Marlene (Wes) Johnson of Eden Prairie; 31 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; and many other family and friends. He is preceded in death by his son, Mark, parents, siblings, Catherine Durket, Shirley Bajari, Anita Seline, Eleanor Thompson, Leonard, Richard, and Gerald Alama.

The pallbearers will be Tim Erickson, Bryant Beehler, Steve Norberg, Colin Nyren, Dean Kaskinen, and Allan Bajari. Honorary pallbearers will be Dave Ferrell, Tom Lampi, Jerry Joe Bajari, Jerome Hicks, Darrell Schmidt, and Hank Ott.  Margaret Groop and Ken Erickson will provide music for the service. Military honors will be provided by Minnesota National Guard Honor Guard and the Kimball American Legion Post 261.  Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Annandale.