Melvin E. Selken

Melvin E. Selken, 89, of Sioux Falls, formerly of Dell Rapids, passed away on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. His funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 5, 2021 in the Reformed Church, Dell Rapids. Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at Kahler-Brende Funeral Home.

Melvin E. Selken was born on August 22, 1931 to Charles and Goldia (Wilka) Selken in Larchwood, IA. He grew up and attended school in Argonne, SD and graduated in 1949. He then started working for John Morrell. He was drafted into the US Marines in March of 1949 where he served in the Korean War until his discharge in March of 1952. He returned to Sioux Falls where he went back to work for John Morrell. He married Arla Alberts on April 13, 1957 in Sioux Falls, SD.  The couple made their home near Harrisburg for five years and milked cows before moving to their farm near Dell Rapids in 1962. Melvin retired from John Morrell on September 1, 1985. During retirement he worked on his farm and enjoyed raising livestock. The couple moved to Sioux Falls in 2019.

He was a member of the Reformed Church in Dell Rapids and the Sioux Falls American Legion Post.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, six sisters, two brothers and his son, Gordon.

He is survived by his wife, Arla of Sioux Falls; his five sons, Greg (Pam) of Dell Rapids, Roger (Samella) of Brookings, Keith (Darla) of Brandon, Neil of Garretson and Jerry (Deb) of Colman; his 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; his siblings, Louise Lund of Sioux Falls, Raymond (Margrit) of Germany, Lucille (Gene) Tooley of Sioux Falls, June (Richard) Smith of IL, Ronald of Sioux Falls and Leroy (Armena) of Sioux Falls.

The service will be live streamed at the Reformed Church Youtube channel.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQHklHJf0QRdQmIC-LtBtKw

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