Melvin Albert Zajicek

Melvin Albert Zajicek, age 100, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2024, in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin. Melvin was born on December 8, 1923, on the Foley Farm in Steuben, Wisconsin, to John and Bessie (Kimmel) Zajicek. Melvin’s life was a testament to the enduring spirit of hard work, dedication, and the simple joys of country living.

A lifelong resident of Wisconsin, Melvin was the last surviving member of his immediate family, having been preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Orland, Virgil, Ralph, Neil, Kathel, Marilyn, Harlon (Pete), and Geraldine. His roots ran deep in the soil of the family farm, where he spent his formative years learning the value of a day’s work. After graduating from Gays Mills High School in 1943, Melvin dedicated himself to the family farm and the seasonal rhythms of apple picking at the Gays Mill Apple Orchards. Reflecting on his early years, he often shared how the price for a bushel of apples rose from three cents to seventy-five cents over three decades, a change that marked the passage of time and the growth of the industry he loved.

Melvin’s commitment to the land and his community was recognized when he and his father, John, received the Crawford County Conservation and Wildlife Award in 1967. That same year, Melvin took on full responsibility for the farm, a stewardship he maintained with pride and diligence. His efforts were again honored in 1981, when he received the conservation award for a second time, underscoring his dedication to preserving the natural beauty and resources of Wisconsin.

Melvin attended Sunday School and services at the Methodist Church in Gays Mills where he became a member. His interests were as varied as they were passionate. Melvin found pleasure and profit in sorting and salvaging scrap metal, and he curated impressive collections of coins, canning jars, flat irons, telephone insulators, locks, and other antiques.

Melvin’s love for the outdoors was evident in his many hobbies. He spent countless hours searching for Native American artifacts, identifying plants, wildflowers, and birds, and building birdhouses for the various species that nested on the farm. In the fall he enjoyed harvesting garden produce as well as his gourds, hickory and walnuts. He also delighted in the tradition of maple syruping and growing amaryllis bulbs. Indoors, he enjoyed working on crossword puzzles and was a regular at auctions and flea markets, always on the lookout for a unique find.

His adventures took him across the country, where he visited family and hunted for fossils, petrified wood, and rock specimens in Montana, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, and Washington. These trips were among the many stories he shared with visitors to the farm.

His generosity knew no bounds. He was known for his remarkable memory, greeting people by name even after long absences, and he never hesitated to share the bounty of his garden with friends and strangers alike. The farm was a place of welcome, and Melvin was the heart of that hospitality, always finding time for a chat or to lend an ear.

To have known Melvin was to have known a man of character, warmth, and an unshakeable connection to the land he called home. His legacy is one of enduring love for his community, the environment, and the simple pleasures that enrich our lives. Melvin Albert Zajicek will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of crossing paths with him, and his memory will continue to inspire those who walk the fields and orchards he so cherished.

The family wishes to thank the Soldiers Grove Health Care Services and St. Croix Hospice for their wonderful care. Memorials can be given to the North Crawford School District Agricultural Programs.

A Funeral Service for Melvin will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Vosseteig Funeral Home in Gays Mills. Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Following the service, Melvin will be laid to rest at the Gays Mills Cemetery. A light lunch will follow at the Old Oak Inn in Soldiers Grove. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.vossfh.com.

Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory is serving Melvin's family.

325 Sunset Ridge Ave.

Gays Mills, WI 54631

608-735-2100