Mel J. Berendes, 73, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away on June 8th, 2023, at Stonehill Health Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 13th, 2023, at the Church of the Nativity with Fr. Andy Upah and Msgr. James Miller officiating. The burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 12th, 2023, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road with a wake service to conclude at 7:00 p.m.

Mel was born on March 5, 1950, in Bellevue, Iowa, the son of Earl and Sylvia (Frantzen) Berendes Sr. He graduated from Marquette High School in Bellevue and worked at Georgia Pacific for 40 years. After retirement, he pursued his true passion and became a paraprofessional at Table Mound Elementary School.

Mel married Marilyn Herrig; Mel was a loving husband and gave his wife of 52 years kisses until the end.  He showed his sons how to be a good husband, a good father, a good friend and a good man. He was all these things; he will be missed but his legacy will live on. His eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren are his greatest legacy.

Mel approached each day with a smile on his face. A smile that Alzheimer’s disease never dented let alone defeated. He continues to smile on his family and friends.

He is survived by his loving wife Marilyn; two sons Chad (Nancy) Berendes, of Dubuque and Mike (Julie) Berendes, of Whitestown, IN. His grandchildren Cayla, Mitchell (Carissa), Jenna and Nolan Berendes; Sam, Jackson, Sawyer and Owen Berendes; two great grandchildren Cabe and Maeve Berendes. His sister Anita Rowan; sister-in-law Phyllis (Tim) Chantos; and his brother-in-law Don Herrig.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents; Earl and Sylvia; father and mother-in-law Merlin and Lyda Herrig; daughter-in-law Kristi Berendes; brothers Loras Berendes and Earl (Ruth) Berendes; his sister Phyllis (Dave) Hutter and brother-in-law Eldon Rowan.

In lieu of flowers a Mel Berendes memorial fund will be established.

The family wishes to thank Stonehill Health Center and Hospice of Dubuque especially Brittney and Peggy for all their care, kindness and compassion they gave to Mel and his family.