James Melgaard, 83, of Pierre, died Saturday, June 9 at Golden Living Center in Pierre. Visitation will be 5-7pm, Tuesday, June 12 at First United Methodist Church with a Prayer Service at 7:00pm with Pastor Mike Bishop officiating. Services will be 10:00am, Wednesday, June 13 at First United Methodist Church with Peggy Stempson officiating. Burial will be 10:30am, Thursday, June 14 at Garden of Memories in Yankton
James Arlin Melgaard was born in rural Viborg and grew up in the Viborg and Irene area. He attended the Melgaard Country School and graduated from Irene High School. He attended two years at USD and was drafted into the United States Army, serving in Korea during the Korean conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1953. He returned home to South Dakota where he met the love of his life, Alice Mogck. They married June 5, 1955 in Scotland, SD. To this union, two children were born: his favorite daughter Mindy and his favorite son Rob.
Jim worked at International Harvester and Alice was a country school teacher. The family moved to Vermillion where Jim worked at the Firestone Store. They then moved to Yankton where he worked at and eventually purchased the Firestone Store. Governor Janklow appointed Jim to the Department of Commerce and Jim and Alice moved to Pierre. Jim retired from the state and then went on to work as the Hughes County Veterans Service Officer. He retired for the second time in order to enjoy his memberships in several fraternal organizations.
Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing. He was a member of the American Legion, the VFW,and the Masonic Lodge to include Scottish Rite and El Riad Shriners. He was a life-long member of the First United Methodist church and other organizations, too numerous to mention.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Alice; children: Mindy( Marlin) and Rob (Tricia); two grandchildren: James and Kristen; great-grandson, Carson; sister, Lucille and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and a sister, Elizabeth.
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