Melvin L. Hauser, 85, of Faith, passed away as the result of a farm accident on his ranch north of Faith on Friday, August 28, 2009.



Visitation will be from 4pm until 6pm Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Faith. A funeral service will be 10am Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at the Faith Community Center with Pastor Gerhardt Juergens and Pastor Bill Russow officiating. Burial will be 2:30pm at the Bear Butte Cemetery with military honors provided by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard.



Melvin L. Hauser was born on August 29, 1923 in Faith to Emil and Ada (Buttke) Hauser. He grew up on the ranch north of Faith and attended rural school. He then attended the School of Agriculture at Brookings, graduating in 1941. He returned to Faith where he worked on various ranches until entering the US Army in May of 1945. Following his discharge in 1946 he returned to Faith and ranching. He married the love of his life Norma J. Overland on November 28, 1964 at Faith. To this union, one son Monte was born in 1965. They bought the family ranch north of Faith where he ranched until his passing. Melvin loved and enjoyed his life on the ranch, especially with his hunters and working outside. Melvin and Norma took in several high school students over the years. They were also a very special aunt and uncle to a niece Colleen Talley-Dell.



Melvin was a member of the Faith American Legion, past president of the Faith Stock Show in 1964, St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Faith, served on various boards and committees for various community and rural organizations.



Survivors include his wife of 43 years Norma Hauser of Faith, sister Arlene Talley of Rapid City, special niece Colleen (Ron) Dell of San Angelo, TX, sister-in-law Jane Hauser of Faith, and numerous nieces and nephews.



He was preceded in death by son Monte Hauser in 1986, brother Orville Hauser, sisters Irma Taylor, Lucille Hauser, mother Ada Hauser, and father Emil Hauser.