Melvin T. Pitz

Melvin T. Pitz, 83, of Redfield, SD, and formerly Mina, SD, passed away Sunday, September 8, 2019, at Avantara Redfield Nursing Home.

His memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, September 16, 2019, at Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Ave NW, Aberdeen, with Father Andy Thuringer officiating.  

Melvin’s wishes were to be cremated, with burial taking place at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

A luncheon and time of fellowship will immediately follow the interment at Schriver’s Memorial Fellowship Center.

Visitation at the mortuary will be 3:00-5:00 p.m., Sunday, and one hour prior to the service on Monday.  

Family and friends may sign Melvin’s online guestbook and also view his service via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Melvin T. Pitz was born on March 19, 1936, to John R. and Mary (Hansen) Pitz in Aberdeen, SD.  He was raised on a farm southwest of Mina, SD and graduated from Warner High School in 1954. 

Melvin married June Cameron on July 14, 1956, in Aberdeen.  He worked construction and was a rodeo cowboy. In 1961, they moved to a ranch near Forbes, ND. In 1977, they moved to Mina to the farm where Melvin grew up.  

Melvin was a farmer, truck driver, carpenter, and a “jack of all trades”. He could fix anything.  In 1977, Melvin moved into the town of Mina. 

Melvin married Gloria Paggett on December 29, 1994. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and moved to Ipswich Health and Rehab in January 2015; to Groton Care and Rehab in 2017; and to Avantara Redfield in 2019, where he continued to reside until the time of his death. 

Surviving Melvin are his children:  Debra (Kent) Weiszhaar of Leola, SD, Pamela (Gerry) West of Belle Fourche, SD, Thomas Pitz of Aberdeen, William Pitz of Mitchell, SD, Wayne (Leona) Pitz of Mina, SD and Benjamin (Emily) Pitz of Rapid City, SD; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one brother, Merle (Doris) Pitz; one sister, Beverly Bauer; one brother-in-law, Richard (VeEtta) Cameron; and his nieces and nephews. 

Melvin was preceded in death by June Cameron and Gloria Paggett; his parents; one infant brother; one sister; two brothers-in-law; one niece; and one nephew. 

Honorary pallbearers will be Wendi and Troy Weig, Heather Weiszhaar and Michael Trivelli, Dustin and Tammy Pitz, Andrea Pitz and Cosmo Varriano, Jeremiah West and Julie Anne Zimny, Brianna Pitz, Ashley Pitz and Evan Johnson, and Autumn Pitz.

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