Melva L. Krinke, 79, of Reeseville died on Monday, April 30, 2018 at the SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison.
Visitation for Melva will be held on Monday, May 7, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home, N7199 N. Crystal Lake Road, Beaver Dam. Funeral services will follow at the funeral home on Monday, beginning at 12:30 p.m. with Rev. Paul Vander Galienofficiating. A luncheon will be held at the funeral home immediately follow the service. Burial will be at Lowell Cemetery.
Melva Lorraine (Firari) Krinke was born on September 22, 1938 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin to August and Vera (Westphal) Firari. On January 30, 1960, Melva was united in marriage with DeWane Krinke in Lowell. She was the co-owner and operator of Krinke’s Farm Market, which has been operating for the past 46 years. The company started as a small roadside stand selling jams and jellies. The family business grew into a large vegetable farm selling a variety of fruits and vegetables. As the years passed, the company began specializing in growing a number of varieties of popcorn. They also grew and sold chickens, ducks, geese and rabbits. Krinke’s Farm Market has been a member of the Dane County Farmers Market for 45 years. Melva and DeWane were one of the first vendors to sell vegetables on the Capitol Square. While working tirelessly on the family business, Melva was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. In her later years, she enjoyed making rugs with her daughter Gail and granddaughter Julie. She was very generous, thoughtful and caring to her family and friends.
Melva is survived by her children, Gail (Richard) Wille of Randolph, Gary Krinke of Jefferson, Greg Krinke of Lowell and Gene (Pamela) Krinke of Reeseville; five grandchildren, Julie (Bill) Braun of Beaver Dam, Matt Krinke of Watertown, Tim Krinke of Lowell, Mark Krinke of Waupun and Jodi Krinke of Reeseville; three great grandchildren, Alicia and Kelley Braun and Jackson Krinke; her three sisters: Hilda Heller of Watertown, Vida Neuberger of Reeseville and Carolyn Gray of Reeseville; her brother Ralph Firari of Reeseville; her brother-in-law LaVern Krinke of Manchester; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Melva was preceded in death by her parents, her husband DeWane in 2006, her sister Lorraine, her brother August E. Firari; four brothers-in-law: Harry Oosterhof, William Gray, James Heller, and LaVern Neuberger, and two sisters-in-law Dixie Krinke and Sherri Firari.
If desired, memorials may be made in Melva Krinke’s name to her family.
The Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.koepsellfh.com
