Melba Naomi Olverson

Melba Olverson, age 93, Yankton, widow of Erlus Olverson, died on Wednesday night, October 3, 2012 in the Sister James Care Center at Yankton. She was a former resident of the Raymond/Clark communities. Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 7, 2012 from 5-7PM at the Furness Funeral Home at Clark and after 11AM at the Church on Monday morning. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 8, 2012 at 1PM at the United Methodist Church at Clark with The Reverend Jen Tyler officiating. Music will be presented by Dorothy Fuller as organist with special music by Wendy Christman and Marvine Obermeier. The casketbearers will be her grandchildren. Burial will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Clark. The only daughter born to Elmer and Lou (Whipkey) Graves, Melba Naomi Graves was born at the home of her parents at Raymond, SD on May 12, 1919. She attended Logan School graduating in 1937 and continued her education at S.D.S.U in Brookings graduating in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. Melba went on to teach Home Economics for 15 years in Platte, Doland, Clark, Henry, SD and also at Logan High School. She also worked for the Codington County Welfare Office in the late 1960's. She was united in marriage to Erlus Olverson on August 3, 1945 at the First Methodist Church in Watertown. Melba had always lived in Logan Township and after her marriage the couple lived in Lincoln Township, southwest of Clark, where they farmed and Melba taught school. Melba was baptized in the summer of 1919 in the Logan Methodist Church and confirmed at the same church as a teenager. She was a member of the Methodist Church in Logan Township until 1943 when she became a member of the United Methodist Church at Clark where she was active in the UMW and circles, serving in various offices over the years. Melba also taught Sunday School for many years at the Church. In the community she was a member of the Order of Eastern Star since 1935 and a member of the Friendly Circle Club. She served as the clerk of Logan Township for 17 years and authored the booklet "Logan Memories" promoting the history and preservation of Logan Township. She also wrote "Prairie Tales" a family history booklet for her children and grandchildren. Melba was also a member of the Clark County Historical Society. In her free time, she truly enjoyed playing the organ at home, playing many pieces of favorite sheet music over the years. She will long be remembered for her kindness and her willingness to help others. She was honored as being an honorary F.H.A. member and was a State advisor for F.H.A. (Future Homemakers of America). Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Erlus on September 1, 1980, son, Robert "Bob" on March 9, 2004, and brothers, Lowell (Marjorie), Harold (Mildred) and Ivan (Kathleen) Graves. Grateful for having shared in her life are her children, James W. (Peggy Dunlavy) Olverson of Raymond and Jean D. (Jeff) Liudahl of Pierre, grandchildren, Todd, Trent, Olaf, Anya, Cassandra, Jacob and Jonathon, and 9 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and 3 step-grandchildren, Marnie, Tom & Scott. She also leaves a brother, Donald "Buster" Graves of Dayton, OH and a sister-in-law, Helen Graves of Sioux Falls, SD. Memorials in her memory would be appreciated to the United Methodist Church at Clark or the Eden Alternative Project at Sister James Care Center in Yankton. www.furnessfuneralhome.com Furness Funeral Home, Clark, SD serving the family.