Melvin D Lubbers

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Melvin Lubbers, 95, of Mitchell, S.D. passed away to eternity at Avera McKennan Hospital on June 4, 2026. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Monday, June 8, 2026 at the First Reformed Church in Mitchell, SD with burial and military rites at Servicemen's Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Monday, June 8, 2026 at the First Reformed Church in Mitchell, SD.

Mel was a man of faith in so many aspects of his long life.

Born to Abba and Anna (Bunger) Lubbers on January 17, 1931, at home in Alexandria, S.D., Mel grew up in Alexandria and graduated high school there in 1949, after excelling in basketball.

He met the love of his lifetime, Nancy Sauvage, in the summer of 1950, literally picking her up after she fell at a local roller rink. Their courtship resulted in marriage on January 6, 1952 - a faithful relationship that would last an astounding 74 loving years.

Mel was also faithful to his country. He joined the U.S. Army just a few weeks after his wedding, eventually bravely fighting in the front lines of the Korean War, earning a Bronze Star medal.

After his military service, Mel and his bride moved to Mitchell and soon started a rapidly growing family, which would eventually total five children. To support them over the years, he worked for Reynolds Furniture in Mitchell for 20 years and was a salesman for Moorman's Feed another 19 years. Mel spent many years independently installing carpet and linoleum, in addition to being a hobby farmer after later moving the family to rural Mitchell.

A faithful servant of God, Mel was a founding member of First Reformed Church in Mitchell, where he held positions of an elder, deacon and Sunday school teacher. Sunday church attendance wasn't an option for his family, thus installing a deep Christian faith within his children.

His association with the military led him to become commander of the South Dakota Korean War Veteran's Association (East River Chapter), and a member of the American Legion and VFW in Mitchell. The miliary rewarded Mel later in his life, as he accepted an invitation of South Korea to visit the country in recognition of the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. He spent 10 days being honored and touring battle sites with his only son, Duane, and other war veterans in 2013. Five years later in 2018, the former Army sergeant joined a flight of U.S. veterans through the Midwest Honor Flight, traveling with his daughter, Lori, from Sioux Falls to Washington, D.C. for a one-day tour and military tributes.

Mel traveled abroad during his military service, but also for pleasure. After 31 years of marriage, he and Nancy ventured to Germany, Italy, Austria and Switzerland. Family camping trips and drives to visit relatives in California were also travel adventures.

He is survived by his wife Nancy Lubbers of Mitchell; son Duane (Lois) Lubbers of Chanhassen, Minn.; and daughters Lori (Gary) Heier of Aberdeen, S.D., Diane (Dan) Konrad of Winchester, Tenn., Dawn {Rod) Gerlach of Spring Grove, IL, and Melissa (John) Schutte of Canton, S.D.; 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Evelyn Thompson, of Napa, Calif.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Reformed Church, Mitchell, SD, Korean War Veteran’s Association or Midwest Honor Flight.