Melvin F. Marotte

Melvin Marotte, age 84, of Little Falls, MN, passed away Saturday, August 18, 2007 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, August 22nd at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls with Rev. Nicholas Landsberger officiating. Private interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Little Falls. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Melvin Francis Marotte was born on October 14, 1922 in Little Falls, MN to George & Laura (Schmelzer) Marotte. Melvin served in the United States Army in World War II from April, 1943 to June 1946 where he spent one and a half years in Europe with the 80th Infantry Division as a rifleman. He was united in marriage to Loretta Winskowski on August 28, 1951 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls. He started Mel's Shoe Service in Little Falls in October, 1958 which he operated until 1992 when his daughter Marie became the manager and in 2001 took over ownership. He was a lifetime member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and a life member of the Little Falls V.F.W. Post #1112 and the Little Falls American Legion Post #46. Left to cherish his memory are his children, Gary (Linda) Marotte of Montevideo, MN, Ron (Joan Collins-Marotte) Marotte of Sartell, MN, Linda (Ken) Rutz of Little Falls, MN, Georg (Joyce) Marotte of Randall, MN, Marie (Mike) Rakow of Little Falls, MN, Mark (Jayne) Marotte of Little Falls, MN, Lois (Wayne) Walkoviak of Chippewa Falls, WI, Karen (James) Mona of Hutchinson, MN, Sharon (David) Rakow of Little Falls, MN and Steve (Carolyn) Marotte of Biloxi, MS; siblings; Arnold Marotte of the Twin Cities; Donald Marotte of Little Falls, MN and Lorraine Seigel of Long Prairie, MN; 33 grandchildren; 11great-grandchildren and mother-in-law, Josephine Winskowski of Little Falls. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Loretta (Dec. 7, 2004); grandson, Anthony Collins-Marotte; siblings Eileen Marotte; Loren "Larry" Marotte and Doris Schmiesing. In lieu of flowers, memorial preferred to Unity Family Hospice, 815 SE 2nd Street a" Little Falls, MN 56345.