Melvin (Mel) Eckmann, age 78, of Cavour, died Thursday, August 9, 2012, at his granddaughters house in Alpena. His funeral service will be 2:30 pm Tuesday, August 14, 2012, at American Lutheran Church in Huron. Visitation will be 2-8 pm Monday, August 13, 2012, at Welter Funeral Home with family present from 6-8 pm, including a 7 pm prayer service; or Tuesday afternoon one hour prior to the service at the church. Melvin Magnus Eckmann was born November 3, 1933 on the farm stead in Richland Township south of Cavour. He was the third child born to Henry and Anna (Beck) Eckmann. He attended country school through the eighth and he graduated from Cavour High School in 1951. He was honored as class president and class king. After graduating, Melvin began farming with his father on the family farm. Melvin married Alyce Mae Waldner on June 15, 1955 at the American Lutheran Church in Huron. To this union one son was born, Dennis Michael in 1960. Melvin was an avid learner and continued to expand his knowledge; he received a BA degree from the Northwestern Business College in Huron. Melvin worked various sales jobs while still actively farming. Melvin was the area representative for Long Manufacturing and made several trips to Saudi Arabia in the early 1980's for Lindsey Manufacturing to supervise crews installing irrigation systems and grain bins. Melvin was a cancer survivor; he battled cancer in 1962 for several years and was the only survivor in the 12 man cancer ward in Rochester MN. He underwent an open heart surgery to repair the valves in his heart in 1999 and nine months later in 2000 he went through open heart surgery again to have two mechanical valves installed to yet again repair his heart in Rochester MN. Melvin loved music and played the trumpet in the dance band The Dakota Kids. He loved ballroom and square dancing, western music and the opera. He enjoyed working with wood, gardening and welding, to repair and build things with his own two hands. He also loved to travel; he traveled to the Panama Canal, England, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Hawaii. Melvin was a member of American Lutheran Church, past member of Huron Kiwanis club, and the Fun Steppers Square Dance Club. Melvin loved the springtime, the green pastures, his beautiful flowers and the summer roses. He loved to be out in the fields planting the new crops and also loved harvest. Mel always felt so blessed. Melvin thanked God every day for his life and he felt that South Dakota was God's hidden paradise. Melvin's memory will be cherished by his loving wife of 57 years, Alyce Eckmann of Cavour; one son, Dennis (Heather) Eckmann of Groton, SD; two grandchildren, Leslie (Melissa) Schock of Alpena, Lauren Kulwicki of Groton; four great grandchildren, Peyton Schock, Morgan Wolff, Cole Wolff, Haley Wolff; honorary daughter-in-law, Sara Eckmann; sister, Edith Voss Schilling of Huron; two sister-in-laws, Donna Eckmann of Rapid City and Helen Husen of Sioux Falls; three aunts, Helene VanBuskirk-Timm of Huron, Evelyn McIntyre of Mitchell, Ida Barraclaugh of Oregon; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends and neighbors. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, brother Lawrence and step-father William Sass.