Melvin L. Petersen

Melvin L. Petersen, age 78, of Yankton, South Dakota, died Saturday, January 10, 2009, at Avera Yankton Care Center in Yankton.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM, on Wednesday, January 14, 2009, at Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with Reverend Ralph Egbert officiating. Burial will be in the Vangen Lutheran Cemetery in Mission Hill, South Dakota with military honors provided by the Rudolph-Christensen American Legion Post No. 237. Visitation is from 3:00 to 8:00 PM, on Tuesday, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

Pallbearers are Ben Van Osdel, Barry Van Osdel, Mike Petersen, Tad Petersen, Herb Wounded Head, and Jeremy Bachman.

Melvin L. Petersen was born January 29, 1930, to John and Gina (Eide) Petersen in rural Irene, South Dakota. Hew grew up in the Volin area and attended Clay Valley and Remp Schools. He worked on the family farm until he was drafted into the United States Army on January 16, 1952, to serve in the Korea War. After the war, Melvin returned to South Dakota where he worked for area farmers as a hired hand. In 1966, he started working for the Human Services Center in Yankton until he retired in 1993, 27 years later.

He was a member of the Rudolph-Christensen American Legion Post No. 237. He was an avid supporter of Yankton sports. He was always friendly and loved baseball, the Yankees, fishing, and country music.

Survivors include his four brothers, Kenneth (Jane) Petersen of Gayville, South Dakota, Orlin (Dorothy) Petersen of Yankton, Clifford Petersen, and Johnny Petersen both of Volin, South Dakota; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Eilene Van Osdel and Grace Johnson.

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