Obituary of Martha B. Melichar

Martha B. Melichar, age 97 of Yankton and formerly of Tabor, passed away on Friday, September 18, 2015 at the Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30, Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor with Rev. Steven Jones officiating. Burial will be in St. Wenceslaus Cemetery. Visitations will be from 5-7 PM, Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at the Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Tabor with a 7 PM Wake Service. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Martha Melichar was born November 27, 1917 to Frank and Katherine (Hale) Kortan in Tabor, South Dakota. She grew up on a farm just south of Tabor and attended Tabor Public School. She then later moved into town and worked at the Home Store grocery store. She married George Melichar on September 1, 1948 after his return to Tabor from serving in World War II. They operated a Standard Oil Station and blacksmith shop until August of 1967 after which they retired. Martha was an avid gardener and loved working outdoors. She also was a wonderful cook and baker and enjoyed trying new recipes and sharing her garden produce and baked goods with friends and relatives. She was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and the Altar Rosary Society. Loving memories will be cherished by her son, Edward (Donna) Melichar of Omaha, NE; her daughter, Katherine (Don) Klaassen of Tabor, SD; grandchildren: Pam (Mike) Mason and their children, Claire and Hope, all of Omaha, NE, Ken (Cameo) Melichar and their children: Ashlyn, Nathan, and Jonah, all of Hewitt, TX; Angela (David) Dingsor and their daughter, Norah, all of Sioux Falls, SD, Jonathan (Jennifer) Klaassen of Sioux Falls, SD, and Jared Klaassen of Sioux Falls, SD; sister-in-law, Angeline Kortan of Tabor, SD; many nieces, nephews, and friends and her beloved staff at Sister James Country Unit. She was preceded in death by her husband, George; her parents; 5 brothers: John, Albert, Joseph, Adolph, and Dorance (Bud) Kortan; 6 sisters: Mary (Ed) Souhrada, Albina (John) Wurtz, Clara (Ed) Hlavac, Anna (Joe) Dvoracek, Adeline (Leo) Pechous, and Ludmila in infancy; grandson, Benjamin Klaassen and great granddaughter, Bethany Mason.