Melvin Mikuska

Celebrant
Fr. David Stevens
Music
Organist ~ Bona McGregor
Congregational Hymns
“Be Not Afraid”
“Leave Me Lord”
“Ava Maria”
“Alleluia, Alleluia, Let the Holy Anthem Rise”
Casketbearers
Bill Mikuska, Mike Brezina,
Greg Reiser, Wayne Reiser,
Glenn Ziegler, & Rudy Ziegler
Melvin Mikuska was born on February 10, 1933 to Oscar W. and Adella (Nehonsky) Mikuska in Scotland, South Dakota. He attended Tripp schools and later earned his G.E.D. Mel enlisted in the U.S. Army in November 1953 and served during the Korean Conflict. He went on to earn the rank of corporal and was honorably discharged in September 1955. On July 27, 1956, he was united in marriage to Belva Heinrich in Parkston, South Dakota.
Throughout his life, Mel farmed alongside his father on the family farm 3 miles southeast of Tripp. Mel favored John Deere equipment and enjoyed his time raising crops and hogs. He knew a hard day’s work and how to succeed with your own two hands. If something required fixing or had the potential for reuse, Mel could tinker and engineer a solution on his own.
Following back surgery, he retired from farming in 1984. In 1989, Mel and Belva moved into Tripp.
Mel kept busy with many hobbies. He had an incredible collection of hundreds of toy tractors, toy trucks, and various antiques. He was especially proud of his assortment of John Deere tractors. Together, he and Belva loved attending auctions which kept the collection growing. They enjoyed the success of finding treasures and socializing with friends.
Mel was a member of the American Legion Post 142 in Tripp and served as Legion Commander for a time. He was also a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parkston and the Knights of Columbus.
Mel was a helpful husband and father who was always willing to offer advice.
Mel passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at Avera Bormann Manor in Parkston, South Dakota having attained the age of 86 years, 3 months, and 4 days.
He is survived and remembered by his wife of nearly 63 years, Belva Mikuska of Tripp, SD; son Donald (Glenda) Mikuska of Mitchell, SD; daughter Barbara (Doug) Schmidtgall of Watertown, SD; grandchildren: Jeremy, Carley, and Justin; great-grandchildren: Chloe, Kia, Ellyson, and Camdyn; and nephew Chad Heinrich of Phoenix, AZ.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
This obituary was written by the Goglin Funeral Homes on behalf of the Mel Mikuska family.