1929
Melvin
2009
Melvin Dragt
May 11, 1929 — April 30, 2009
Funeral services for Melvin L. Dragt, age 79, of Milbank, will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, May 4, 2009, at the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank. The Reverend Keith Bicknase will officiate. Melvin died on Thursday, April 30th, of an apparent heart attack in rural Deuel County, SD. He was on his way to Sioux Falls for a doctor's appointment when he was stricken. Family members are asked to meet in the church fellowship hall by 1:30 p.m. Monday to attend services. Roger Goosen will be the organist. Visitation will be at the Emanuel-Patterson Funeral Home in Milbank on Sunday from 2-5 p.m. and in the church Monday one hour before services. Honorary pallbearers will be his great grandchildren, his friends, and members of the 60 plus dining group and the Stockholm-Strandburg American Legion Post #151. Active pallbearers will be his grandchildren. Burial will be in the Milbank City Cemetery with graveside military rites presented by the Stockholm-Strandburg American Legion Post #151.
Melvin was born on May 11, 1929, in Twin Brooks, SD, the son of William and Louise (Kruger) Dragt. He attended school through the eighth grade. He married Shirley Bohn on June 3, 1951, in Twin Brooks. Following marriage, they farmed in Madison Township, Grant County, SD. Melvin was a veteran of the Korean War, having served his country in the United States Marine Corps from September 28, 1951, until his honorable discharge on September 25, 1953. He received the Korean Service Medal with two stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. He was especially proud of his service to his country.
Following his return to SD, Melvin and his wife farmed south of Milbank until 1967. They then moved to Stockholm, SD, where he was engaged in trucking. His wife Shirley died on January 20, 1970. He also worked for rural water and helped area farmers. He moved to Milbank three years ago.
Melvin was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He was a member of the Stockholm-Strandburg American Legion Post #151 and the Grant County VFW Post #3486. While living in Stockholm, Melvin had served the community as a volunteer fireman, firechief, mayor, and sheriff for many years. He enjoyed watching sports on television, especially the Minnesota Twins. He also enjoyed watching birds and reading westerns.
Survivors include three sons: Wayne Dragt and wife DeeAnn, and Ken Dragt and wife Kathy, all of Milbank; and Daryl Dragt and friend, Myra Duffin, of LaBolt, SD; two daughters: Connie Berg, Sherman, TX, and Debbie Schroeder and husband Jeff, South Shore, SD; eleven grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; five step-great grandchildren; his sister, Leone Scott, and husband Merwin, Kranzburg, SD; and special friend, Edna Englund, Milbank.
Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one son, and one daughter-in-law.
Melvin was born on May 11, 1929, in Twin Brooks, SD, the son of William and Louise (Kruger) Dragt. He attended school through the eighth grade. He married Shirley Bohn on June 3, 1951, in Twin Brooks. Following marriage, they farmed in Madison Township, Grant County, SD. Melvin was a veteran of the Korean War, having served his country in the United States Marine Corps from September 28, 1951, until his honorable discharge on September 25, 1953. He received the Korean Service Medal with two stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. He was especially proud of his service to his country.
Following his return to SD, Melvin and his wife farmed south of Milbank until 1967. They then moved to Stockholm, SD, where he was engaged in trucking. His wife Shirley died on January 20, 1970. He also worked for rural water and helped area farmers. He moved to Milbank three years ago.
Melvin was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He was a member of the Stockholm-Strandburg American Legion Post #151 and the Grant County VFW Post #3486. While living in Stockholm, Melvin had served the community as a volunteer fireman, firechief, mayor, and sheriff for many years. He enjoyed watching sports on television, especially the Minnesota Twins. He also enjoyed watching birds and reading westerns.
Survivors include three sons: Wayne Dragt and wife DeeAnn, and Ken Dragt and wife Kathy, all of Milbank; and Daryl Dragt and friend, Myra Duffin, of LaBolt, SD; two daughters: Connie Berg, Sherman, TX, and Debbie Schroeder and husband Jeff, South Shore, SD; eleven grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; five step-great grandchildren; his sister, Leone Scott, and husband Merwin, Kranzburg, SD; and special friend, Edna Englund, Milbank.
Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one son, and one daughter-in-law.