Melvin Currier, 85

Melvin Francis Currier, 85, of Pierre, left peacefully for his new home with God, surrounded by family on July 1, 2009, at St. Mary’s T.C.U. Funeral Service will be at 10 a.m., today, July 7, 2009, at Community Bible Church in Pierre. 

Born March 2, 1924 to Lester and Ferne (Pierce) Currier in Onida, he attended country grade school in Sully County and graduated from Agar High School in l942. Following graduation he enlisted in the Army Air Force. He was married to Naomi Glee McGuire on June 1, 1946, in Onida. 

Following an honorable discharge, Melvin and Naomi took over operation of the Lester and Ferne Currier farm-ranch, specializing in growing small grains and raising cattle.

Melvin was an official member of the American Shorthorn Association, the American-International Charolais Association, the North American Limousin Foundation and the South Dakota Limousin Association. Some of the current established South Dakota Limousin herds are direct descendants of the L Bar C cow/calves raised by Melvin. One of his favorite things was inviting friends and family to jump in the pickup for a drive around the pastures looking at the cows and calves.

On December 8, 1978, Melvin married Myrna Jensen and moved to Pierre. During this time Melvin developed his “City Farming Skills” specializing in growing multiple varieties of geraniums and coleus and was honored with the Pierre “Yard of The Week.”

He was an active member of the River City Garden Club, the Community Bible Church and did a lot of volunteer work including delivering Meals On Wheels and working at the Hospice Thrift Store. He enjoyed sharing his home with friends and, on the farm, one of his favorite things was to invite you to take a look at the geraniums and coleus he was growing. (You felt really special if he took you downstairs to his “Growing Workshop” with all the lights, timers and note -filled clipboards!)

Happy to have shared his life are his wife Myrna, sister Neoma Fields, of Sioux Falls, son Roger (Vicki), of Sioux Falls, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren, Myrna’s sons Randy, Terry, Allen (Debbie), Denny (Roxie) and daughter Gina Jensen (Brian VanWell), eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Ferne Currier, first wife Naomi Glee Currier, brother-in-law Darvin Fields and Myrna’s granddaughter Sara Jensen. 

Thank you Melvin  — your undying faith in God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are a living testimony for us all.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been set-up at Countryside Hospice, 200 East Dakota Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.

Online condolences may be conveyed to the family at www.feigumfh.com.