Melvin Arthur Anderson

Melvin Arthur Anderson, 84, of Rapid City passed away on Monday, September 14, 2020.

Melvin was born in Dupree on September 9, 1936 to Arthur Burdette and Rose Magdalena (Fischer) Anderson. He spent his childhood on the family ranch near Green Grass Creek north of Eagle Butte.

At an early age, Melvin began his lifelong involvement in ranching, and subsequent ventures such as sale barn manager and auctioneer, selling agricultural seed products, leading to raising livestock and breeding bulls on his own ranches, including the No Heart Ranch near Eagle Butte and 73 Ranch at Wasta.

He graduated from the Armour Genetic Engineering Program and went on to establish the Beefmaker Breed and raised Charolais cattle, producing seed stock for cattlemen throughout a multi-state area.

In 1957, he married Eileen Bayless, and to that union Audey Ray and Melvin Jr. were born. In 1981 Melvin married Dorothy Lee Deering and for the next 39 years they made their home on the 73 Ranch near Wasta. Relocating from the ranch a few years ago, they moved to Rapid City where they enjoyed the friendship of new acquaintances.

Throughout his life, Melvin had a wide range of interests including cattle, horses, leather and wood working. He had a lifetime love of rodeo, and had rodeoed when younger. Motivated by his love of the history of West River ranching, and his love of meeting and getting to know the life stories of its people, Melvin began writing a series of books. The first was Pony Tracks: Renegades and Ranching on the Rez (2004), recounting the experiences of his family and many others from the early 1900’s through the 1950’s. He followed this with five additional books, documenting stories of West River life.

Along with his books, Mel was a great storyteller and would captivate listeners with his rich tenor voice and expressive language. In addition to their active ranching life, Melvin and Dorothy began participating in re-creations of historic wagon drives throughout the West River area, greatly enjoying the Fort Pierre to Deadwood Trail Drive of 2008, among others. Their well-outfitted restored chuck wagon was a point of satisfaction for them. Mel was known to be very knowledgeable about the history of the livestock industry and the history of cattle drives and spoke often before appreciative audiences.

Melvin had a very deep, active, and sustaining religious faith. He and Dorothy were members of the Elm Springs Community Church for many years. Melvin donated generously to several charitable organizations, such as the Make A Wish Foundation. He was honored by receiving the Good Neighbor Award in 2016.

For his 80th birthday, the Governor proclaimed “Melvin Anderson Day” in recognition of his lifetime contributions to South Dakota.

Melvin was predeceased by his parents; sister Betty Schrempp; brother Edward; son Melvin Jr.; infant baby girl Anderson; and grandsons Kent Anderson, Tyler Anderson, and Audie James Anderson.

Melvin is survived by his wife Dorothy; Dorothy’s daughters, Leslie Deering (Darcy Hanson) and Lisa Deering Karrels (Michael); son Audey (Ann Marie)Anderson; daughter Mona Thompson; brother Larry (Donna Mae) Anderson; sister Linda (Michael); grandchildren Chance (Merretta) Anderson, Erika Anderson Brightman (Shawn); grandchildren Taylor Anderson (Abbey), Ryan Anderson (Sarah), KayCee Craft Geck (Brett), Ben Craft, Layne Anderson Roeder (Christopher), DeAnna Anderson Reindel (Jeremy), and Jessica Anderson; many greatgrandchildren, cousins, nephews and nieces, a very large extended family, and many, many, friends.

Funeral services were held on Monday, September 21, 2020 at the Elm Springs Community Church and burial was in the Eagle Butte Cemetery.

(Dorothy Anderson’s address is 514 Sapphire Lane, Rapid City, SD 57701.)