Melvin A. Baumgart 78, of Wessington Springs, passed away Thursday, May 17, 2018, in the ER at the Avera Weskota Memorial Medical Center in Wessington Springs.

The Mass of Christian burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 25, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wessington Springs with Fr. Jim Friedrich officiating. Visitation was Thursday at the church, with a scripture service. Interment was in Prospect Hill Cemetery. 

Melvin was born Jan. 15, 1940, in Stickney, the son of August and Alice (Dickson) Baumgart. He married Judy May Sprague on Nov. 7, 1958, in Mitchell. This year they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Melvin and Judy lived several places early in their marriage when Melvin was employed as a truck driver.  They settled down on a farm near Alpena in 1970 where Melvin and Judy farmed until they retired and then moved to Wessington Springs.

Melvin was an avid conversationalist and enjoyed visiting with everyone. He loved to go fishing with his brothers and family. Melvin had a love for horses and rode whenever he could in the 4th of July parade and on trail rides in Wessington Springs.  In his early years, Melvin enjoyed playing his guitar and singing with his family.  Family was very important to him.

Melvin is survived by his wife, Judy; sons, Donald Baumgart of Alpena and Jeffrey (Jaleen) Baumgart of Las Vegas, Nev.; daughters, Brenda Baumgart (Brent) of Sioux Falls and Carmen (Brad) Hillman of Baltic; sisters, Irene Hohn and Karen Berg; brothers, Denny, DeWayne (Wink), and Dale Baumgart; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Melvin is preceded in death by his son, Randy; parents; brother, Leonard Baumgart; and sisters, Dee Smith, Rosella Nielson, Ruthie Spitzer, Verna Stindtman, Betty Kurtenbach, and Sharon Kendall.