Alma Melum

Funeral Services for Alma Francis Melum, 92 of Belle Fourche, SD formerly of Capitol, MT will be 1:00 p. m. Wednesday, January 3, 2007 at the Little Missouri Lutheran Church at Capitol, MT with Pastor Tom Martin officiating. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Capitol Cemetery at Capitol. Visitation will be one hour prior to service at the church. Alma passed away Thursday, December 28, 2006 at the Belle Fourche Regional Senior Care Center in Belle Fourche, SD. Alma Francis Melum was born on August 17, 1914 in Chouteau, MT the daughter of Charles and Iva (MacFarlane) Odell. Alma lived with her family in the Chouteau area until 1921 when they moved to Red Deer, Alberta Canada. In 1923 the family moved to the Gallatin Valley at Bozeman, MT for a brief time before returning back to Chouteau. In 1924 the family moved to the Tie Creek area of Carter County. Alma attended the Plainview Country School. It was while living in the Tie Creek Community that Alma met the love of her life, Malvin Oliver Melum. The two were married on July 1, 1934 in Belle Fourche, SD. After their marriage, Alma and Malvin made their home on the Melum Ranch at Capitol. While living on the ranch, Alma began working at the Dahl Memorial Hospital in Ekalaka, MT. Shortly after Malvin passed away on April 5, 1968, Alma moved into Ekalaka where she continued to work. Later on, Alma moved to Camp Crook, SD where she began working for the Sky Ranch for Boys. Alma worked there until she retired. From Camp Crook Alma moved to Fruitdale, SD and eventually moved into Belle Fourche. In May of 2005, Alma moved into the Belle Fourche Regional Senior Care Center. Alma enjoyed baking bread, gardening and quilting. While her eye sight allowed she made each of her grand children and great-grand children a quilt. While living in Belle Fourche, Alma enjoyed attending church and studying her Bible. Alma?s love was for her family, and her Lord. Alma is survived by her brother, Gordon (Lil) Odell, Spearfish, SD, a son-in-law, Edward ?Bub? Stuart, Camp Crook, SD, five grandchildren, fifteen great-grand children, ten great-great-grand children and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Iva Odell, her loving husband, Malvin, her children, Art Melum and Virginia Stuart, five brothers, Jim Odell, Melvin Odell, Roy Odell, Vernon Odell and Johnny Odell; her sister, Emma Verry and a grandson, Edward James Stuart.


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Burial Date: January 3, 2007
Funeral Home Ekalaka, MT

Funeral Service: Wednesday, Little Missouri Lutheran Church