Melvin B. Reifenrath

Melvin B. Reifenrath, 81, of Sioux City, IA passed away Wednesday, December 25, 2019 at MercyOne hospital following a short illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 A.M. Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Cathedral of the Epiphany- St. Boniface Worship Site. A visitation will be held 1 hour prior to service time at the church with a Rosary service at 9:00 A.M. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Melvin was born May 24, 1938 in Yankton, SD, the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Goeken) Reifenrath. He graduated from Vermillion High School in 1956. He served in the United States Air Force from April 21, 1961 and was honorably discharged April 20, 1965. He served as a Jet Flight Mechanic in Okinawa, Japan. He was a devout Roman Catholic and attended St. Boniface Church. He was self-employed as a bee keeper and a gardener. He sold honey and produce at the Farmer’s Market in Sioux City. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and loved to attend auctions.

Those left to honor his memory are his sisters; Barbara Ernst of Vermillion, SD, Dorothy VanOrmer of Raleigh, NC, Lorraine Wickstrom of Overland Park, KS, Linda Fisher of Sioux City, IA; brother Ken (Jewell) Reifenrath of Sioux City, IA; sister-in-law Barbara Reifenrath of Upland, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Elizabeth Reifenrath, his brothers Robert and Jerry Reifenrath, sister Norma Logsdon and brothers-in-law Jerry Ernst, Frank VanOrmer, Joe Fisher, Connie Logsdon, John Wickstrom, and nephew Randy Logsdon.