Home > United States of America > South Dakota > Hand County > Miller > Hillcrest Cemetery > Donna Marie Campbell Melber

Donna Marie Campbell Melber

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Birth	:	9 Nov 1935 Miller, Hand County, South Dakota, USA
Death	:	13 Sep 2020 Miller, Hand County, South Dakota, USA
Burial	:	Hillcrest Cemetery, Miller, Hand County, USA
Coordinate	:	44.5207000, -99.0006100
Description	:	Donna Marie Melber, 84, of St. Lawrence, passed away Sunday, September 13, 2020 at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller. The Life Story of Donna Marie (Campbell) Melber. I was a depression baby, the first child of Walter and Frieda (Harn) Campbell. I was born December 17, 1935, in Miller, South Dakota, at the “old opera house,” the second floor of which had been made into a hospital. The story goes that my dad was able to trap enough skunks that winter to pay the hospital and the doctor. My younger brothers Miles... Read More	Donna Marie Melber, 84, of St. Lawrence, passed away Sunday, September 13, 2020 at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller. The Life Story of Donna Marie (Campbell) Melber. I was a depression baby, the first child of Walter and Frieda (Harn) Campbell. I was born December 17, 1935, in Miller, South Dakota, at the “old opera house,” the second floor of which had been made into a hospital. The story goes that my dad was able to trap enough skunks that winter to pay the hospital and the doctor. My younger brothers Miles and Marvin were born in that same hospital. I was the first grandchild and enjoyed a great deal of attention from my Aunt Bessie and Dorothy, as well as Uncle Ralph. I had one living grandparent, Miles Campbell. Great Aunt Lizzie Campbell had dozens of grandchildren but allowed me to call her Grandma as well. Relatives and neighbors in South Hand often gathered at Ames Store to buy groceries on Saturday night. Community entertainment included playing cards and attending dances at Pleasant Valley Hall. Many area residents attended the Pleasant Valley Church. The McCool School which still stands on Tanner Hill was reopened for three first graders in 1942. Lurabel Purrington (Evans) was our teacher. The school grew as our siblings got old enough. (Everyone attending school walked or rode a horse.) After completing the eighth grade I went to Miller High School, graduating in 1954. I attended Huron College for one year before I started teaching rural school. I enjoyed teaching at Rowan School, Center School, Cedar School, St. Lawrence School, and Hand City School. In 1960, I was chosen for an International Farm Youth Exchange and lived in Sweden with farm families. I also loved being a second mother for exchange students Helmuth Schroeder from Germany and Maritza Chaves Vargas from Costa Rica. On September 21, 1963, I married George Melber, a widower. His daughter Penny and mother-in-law Myrtle Johnson accepted me with love. Our little family grew to include Barbara who was born September 21st two years later. We are members of the Community Church of St. Lawrence. Our church family has been an important part of our lives. Our Lord has blessed us continually. We like to travel and have been able to go to Europe, Africa, and to 49 states. I belonged to Modern Matrons Extension Club, Wessington Wheelers Square Dance Club, and Chapter AK-PEO. George and I spent a number of years listening to Miller first-graders read. We have appreciated having wonderful neighbors and dear friends who have been constantly by our side. Most of all, being able to always live on a farm has been a source of great joy and pride. In the 1970s, the Miller Business and Professional Women chose me at Woman of the Year. Serving on the nominations board for the Spirit of Dakota introduced me to many inspirational leaders. I also loved seeing so many 4-Hers speak and present through demonstrations and illustrated talks. We love our schools, so George and I were honored to be recognized with a Friends of Education Award from the South Dakota Education Association and the Community Service Award from the Associated School Boards of South Dakota. Preceding me in death were my parents, Walter and Frieda, my step-father Mac Mortensen, brothers Miles and Marvin, step-brother Keith Mortensen, and step-sisters Nedra Jones and Shirley Letsche. I am surrounded with love from my husband George Melber; daughter Penny Sparks, her husband Gary, grandson Lance Crosby and his wife Toni, and their children George and Victor; and daughter Barbara Vargo, her husband Mark, and grandsons Alex, Barry, and John. The family requests memorials be directed to the St. Lawrence Community Church Youth Group. Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Donna's arrangements. Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 18, 2020 at the St. Lawrence Community Church, St. Lawrence with Pastor Jason Watson officiating. Private burial at Hillcrest Cemetery in Miller. Visitation will be an hour prior to service at the church. Mask will be required at both the funeral service and visitation.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Donna Marie Campbell Melber's memorial?
Donna Marie Campbell Melber's memorial is located at: Hillcrest Cemetery, Miller, Hand County, USA.
When did Donna Marie Campbell Melber death?
Donna Marie Campbell Melber death on 13 Sep 2020 in Miller, Hand County, South Dakota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Donna Marie Campbell Melber's memorial?
Latitude: 44.5207000
Longitude: -99.0006100

Family Members:

Parent

Walter Harold Campbell

(1909 - 1956)

Frieda Marie Harn Mortensen

(1917 - 2011)

Spouse

George Adolph Melber Jr.

(1925 - 2022)

Siblings

Miles M Campbell

(1938 - 1981)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Hillcrest Cemetery
Miller, Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5207000, -99.0006100

2. G A R Cemetery
Miller, Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5078011, -98.9858017

3. Saint Ann's Cemetery
Miller, Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5222015, -98.9732971

4. Saint Lawrence Cemetery
Saint Lawrence, Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5292015, -98.9321976

5. Morningside Cemetery
Ree Heights, Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5147018, -99.1903000

6. Beulah Cemetery
Vayland, Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6060982, -98.8060989

7. Alden Cemetery
Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6775017, -99.1203003

8. Sunbeam Cemetery
Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6777992, -98.8407974

9. Wessington Cemetery
Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4569016, -98.7102966

10. Saint Josephs Catholic Cemetery
Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4574400, -98.7100400

11. Burdette Cemetery
Burdette, Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.7002983, -98.7869034

12. Howell Cemetery
Miller, Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.7757988, -98.9766998

13. McCord Cemetery
Wessington, Beadle County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3998500, -98.6673100

14. Mount Calvary Cemetery
Polo, Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.7827988, -99.1097031

15. Rosehill Cemetery
Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2980995, -98.7731018

16. Buffalo Cemetery
Spink County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6918983, -98.6853027

17. Cedar Cemetery
Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2775002, -99.2238998

18. Highmore Cemetery
Highmore, Hyde County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5074997, -99.4197006

19. Saint Marys Catholic Cemetery
Highmore, Hyde County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5063800, -99.4214900

20. Saint Johns Cemetery
Tulare, Spink County, USA
Coordinate: 44.7202988, -98.6600037

21. Sand Creek Cemetery
Beadle County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3055800, -98.6791200

22. Mondamin Cemetery
Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2158012, -99.1238022

23. Ebenezer Baptist Cemetery
Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2106018, -98.9056015

24. Saint Michaels Cemetery
Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.8302994, -99.1106033