Melvin "Ike" Isernhagen

Obituary Melvin "Ike" Isernhagen, 76, died March 16, 2013 in Fort Collins, Colorado. He was born March 23, 1936 in St. Francis, Kansas to William J. Isernhagen and Ida M (Wolf) Isernhagen. Melvin was baptized and confirmed in the Salem Lutheran Church, NW of St. Francis. He graduated from St. Francis High School in 1954. He and his family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado in August 1955. Melvin married Barbara Saxbury on March 3, 1957 in Fort Collins and moved to the family farm in St. Francis. Daughter Julie was born in St. Francis on April 2, 1958. After three years of crop failures, they moved back to Fort Collins. Daughter Keri was born in Fort Collins on August 5, 1960. Melvin started his career as an electrician. After working in Colorado for some years, he took a job with a national electrical contractor which took him many places across the U.S.. He worked on Oregon, Maryland, Georgia, Nevada and Texas. In 1988 Melvin married Verna Swain in Portland, Oregon. Verna worked for the same contractor as they moved around the country. In 1998, Verna passed away from cancer while they were living in Copperas Cove, Texas. Shortly after, Melvin retired and traveled for a while in a motor home. He lived in Canon City, Colorado for a couple of years before moving to Fort Collins in 2000. Melvin is survived by daughters Julie Isernhagen of Louisville, Colorado and Keri (Kelly) Losey of Milliken, Colorado, two granddaughters, Reilly and Erin Ross. Also surviving are brother Bill (Lynn) and sister Dorothy (Don) Rein, both of Fort Collins and sister Irma Smith of Fort Wayne, Indiana, several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Verna and brother-in law Ron Smith. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 11:00 AM at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church with Pastor Dana Peterson officiating. A reception will follow the service. Read More Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Melvin "Ike" Isernhagen