Melva M. Persinger

Melva M. Persinger of South Sioux City, formerly of Ponca, died Wednesday, November 30, 2011, at a South Sioux City nursing home. Services will be at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in South Sioux City, NE with Father James deAnda officiating. Burial will be in St. Michael's Cemetery in South Sioux City, NE. Visitation will begin at 5:00 P.M., with the family present at 6:00 P.M. and a vigil service at 7:00 P.M. on Friday, December 2, 2011 at the Mohr Funeral Home in South Sioux City, NE. Online condolences may be posted at www.mohrfuneralhome.com. Melva was born July 18,1931, in Ponca, Nebraska, the eldest child of Merle and Ruby (Keller) Russell. She graduated from Ponca High School. Melva began teaching when she just turned seventeen years old; two months after she graduated from high school . She married Mike Persinger on July 5, 1952, in Ponca. They were married for 53 years. He died October 20, 2005. Melva and Mike moved to California. They later moved back to Ponca in 1964 and remained there until 1993 when they moved to South Sioux City. She received her Bachelor's degree in teaching from Wayne State College. Melva taught many years, in Martinsburg, NE and at a small country school north of Ponca. During this time of teaching and raising their family she continued her education and earned her Master's degree in Special Education from Wayne State College. She taught children with special needs in Sioux City, IA, for about 22 years. She strived to make sure every student was successful and many of them called, visited, or otherwise contacted her throughout the years to thank her for the help and success she gave them in school. Melva was a lifelong learner and continued taking classes throughout her life. She shared that love of education with her children and all three of them became educators. She encouraged all of her children and grandchildren to get the best education they could. She inspired four grandchildren to also enter the teaching profession. Her family was extremely important to her and she was always there to lend a helping hand to every one of her family members when they needed it Her eldest granddaughter, Gina, chose Melva as her matron of honor at her wedding on July 5, 2000, Mike and Melva's forty-eighth wedding anniversary. Melva is survived by two daughters, Dr. Micaela (Larry) Hansen of South Sioux City, Maureen (Jim) Anderson of Ponca, and a son, Michael Shawn of Cushing, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Michael Kastning (Jami) of Elk Point, South Dakota, Gina (David) Navarrette of South Sioux City Brandon (Brittany) Anderson of Sioux City, Josh, Mallory,and Jake Anderson of Ponca, Shamus (Stephany) Persinger of California, and Katie Stewart of South Sioux City; twelve great-grandchildren, Michael W. of Bailey, NC, Abby, Nora, and Patrick Kastning of Elk Point, Angelina, Ruby, and Nicholas Navarrette, Mia and Delilah Anderson, Owen Persinger, Tegan and Zoe Stewart; sister Mardelle (Bill) Bell of Early, Iowa; brother, John (Ruby) Russell of Ponca; a sister-in-law, Anita Persinger; and many relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mike; her parents; one granddaughter, Zoi Persinger; nine brothers-in-law; eight sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.