Melvin Florin

Melvin James Florin Age 89 of Eagan and Formerly of St. Paul Loving Husband, Father and Grandpa Melvin was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on July 25, 1927 to Louise M. (nee Gallas) and Adolph R. Florin. He attended Harding High School and met the love of his life, Rose Marie McGahn, at a roller-skating event at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The two were married at St. John’s Catholic Church on June 28, 1947. Following his high school graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he was a Seaman First Class. Melvin worked his whole career at Burlington Railroad and retired as a Taconite Manager. Outside of work, he enjoyed coaching at Parkway Little League. He and Rose were a part of a poker group. Their close friends met up at a different house to play poker, have appetizers, and to catch up. Typically, the men and women played in separate rooms. Melvin was an avid sports fan and particularly enjoyed the “Old Vikings” football teams from the 60’s and 70’s. He always loved baseball and was a lifelong fan of the Minnesota Twins. He even watched the Twins play, which may have contributed to their win, on television the night he passed away. His family was able to take Mel and Rose to a game at Target Field to celebrate their 63rd Anniversary and had their names put on the scoreboard screen. After retirement, Melvin and Rose were able to enjoy their lives and relax. During the winter, they traveled down to Tucson, Arizona to stay and then during the summer, they went up to their Wisconsin lake home on Upper White Ash Lake (near Balsam Lake). More than anything, Melvin loved his family and spending time with them all…… Melvin passed away peacefully during the night of July 29, 2016, at The Commons on Marice in Eagan. He is preceded in death by his parents, Louise and Adolph Florin; his two sons, Thomas Melvin Florin and Robert Thomas Florin; his sister, Elouise Lang; and his two brother-in-laws, Edward James McGahn and Lawrence “Larry” Lang. He will be dearly missed by his wife of 69 years, Rose Marie Florin (nee McGahn); his children, Patrick Florin of Maplewood, Sharon (John) Ball of Andover, Michael Florin of St. Paul, John (Angela) Florin of Oakdale, Mary Ann (Reed) Jacobson of Farmington, James (Michele) Florin of Apple Valley, Joseph Florin of Rosemount; his grandchildren, Thomas John Ball, Michelle Christine Kuduk, Nicholas Robert Florin, Katherine Marie Florin, Emily Jean Kramer, Matthew David Bearth, Brian Andrew Bearth, Lindsay Jennifer Florin, Clarissa Louise Florin, Alea Egging Mettler, Emilyne Rose Florin, Evan Egging Florin, Tyler Joseph Florin, William James Florin, Grace Mary Florin, and Joseph Robert Florin; his great-grandchildren, Mikaela Sharon Ball, Anthony Thomas Ball, Justin Gregory Kuduk, Austin Michael Florin, Ryan Thomas Kuduk, Dylan John Ball, Adriana Deanne Florin, Cody James Bearth, Allie Rose Florin, Dylan Daniel Bearth, Berkley Dee Kramer, Henry Thomas Mettler, Jaxson James Bearth, and Josephine Rose Mettler; his sister-in-law, Karen McGahn; and many other family and friends. There will be a gathering for friends and family from 4:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at Mueller Memorial, 835 Johnson Parkway, St. Paul with a Rosary at 7:00 PM. There will be a second visitation one hour prior to the 10:00AM Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, August 4, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 840 6th Street E., St. Paul. Interment and military funeral honors at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights.