Melvin Kent, 85, of Clarissa, passed away on January 17, 2012, at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud.  Funeral services for Melvin will be held on Saturday February 4, 2012, 4:00 p.m., at the Iten Funeral Home in Browerville with Chaplain Christopher Hill officiating.   Friends may call at the Iten Funeral Home in Browerville from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., on the day of the service.  A lunch will immediately follow at the Browerville Community Center.   Interment will be held at the Minnesota State Veteran's Cemetery, Little Falls.

Melvin served in the US Army and was honorably discharged in 1946.  In 1960 he married Ruth Warneka in St. Louis, Missouri.  Melvin worked for Thermal Gas in Iowa for 25 years.  He and Ruth moved to Minnesota where he began farming and also worked for Surge and DeLaval.  Melvin enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, working on his junk and going to auctions.  He was a member of the Lions and American Legion in Clarissa.

Melvin is preceded in death by his sons, Jim & Mikel Kent, parents;  Obra & Olive Kent, brother Owel Leroy Kent, sister Opal Duffield, grandson, James Camancho; sister in law, Shirley Hutchins, brothers in law:  Bill Hutchins, Glen Wolfgram, Arden Dempewolf, Orlan Klopp and John Duffield.

Melvin is survived by his wife:  Ruth Kent of rural Clarissa; daughter: Vicky Ann Clemmons  & family of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; daughter:  Barbara Jean Kent of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; son: Bernard Kent & wife Tracey & family of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; daughter:  Debbie Ostrowski & husband Greg & family of Browerville; son: Jeff Kent & wife Penny & family of Browerville; sister Ruby Klopp of Davenport, Iowa; 17 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild and many other relatives & friends who will miss him dearly.