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Mass of Christian Burial for Melvin Reiser, 68, of Butte, Neb.,  was held Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Butte. Reverend Richard Reiser and Reverend Bernard Starman were the concelebrants, with burial in Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Butte.

Military Honors will be provided by American Legion Post 51 and Army National Guard Honor Guard.

Brockhaus Funeral Home in Spencer, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements. Melvin died Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at Niobrara Valley Hospital in Lynch, Neb.

Melvin Michael Reiser, son of Wilbur and Agnes (Lechtenberg) Reiser, was born Aug. 5, 1952, at Lynch, Neb. He attended Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School until the eighth grade and graduated from Butte Public School. Melvin served in the United States Army from 1972 until 1975 and was stationed in Germany. Melvin was blessed with two adopted sons, Gary and Carl Reiser and an adopted granddaughter, Rebeka.

Melvin was a teacher and taught at Osmond Public School, Martin School in Martin, South Dakota, Anoka School. His last school was Cheyenne Eagle Butte School where he taught for 35 years.

Melvin was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, All Saints Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus.

Melvin is survived by his adopted son, Gary Reiser; granddaughter, Rebeka; and siblings, Louise Ann Reiser of Spencer, Donna (Donald) LaFerrier of Elk Point, South Dakota, twin brother, Marvin (Julie) Reiser of Butte, Richard Reiser of Omaha, David (Linda) Reiser of Spencer, and Gregory Reiser of Spencer. Many nieces and nephews and friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Agnes (Lechtenberg) Reiser; adopted son, Carl Reiser; sister-in-law, Pamela Reiser; and nephew, Jacob Reiser.

George A. Davis was born to Roy and Florence (Linton) Davis on March 6, 1931, in Deadwood, SD. He was the youngest in his family and joined a brother, Sam and three sisters, Nellie (Parsons); Inez (Sharp) and Margaret (Kollmar). He grew up in Deadwood, Millboro, Igloo and Custer, SD.

 In 1966, he married the love of his life, Opal Clark. They lived in Custer and eventually bought their own place south of Argyle in Custer County. In addition to raising livestock, he worked on the railroad for many years, starting on the section crew in Custer and worked his way down the line retiring out of Edgemont, SD.

He loved animals and always had some combination of horses, cows, chickens, pigs and lambs as well as dogs, cats, and even a raccoon. He could often be found out walking amongst the cattle, talking to them in his own special way. Some even answered back. He was a true cowboy and loved riding. He had one extra special horse, Wasaka, who he raised from a foal and had for 27 years. He liked to read the history of the country and remembered everything. And if he loved horses, he also loved horse power. The faster the better.

George loved people. He never met a stranger and would strike up a conversation with anyone he met.   He and Opal travelled all over the country visiting family and friends and making new ones. They loved to go dancing. He was always up for an adventure and in his 70’s he hiked Black Elk Peak with his niece and her family and travelled to France with a neighbor.

Music was another passion. He learned to play music by ear without any formal instruction.

Preceded in death by his wife, Opal; his parents, Roy and Florence Davis; his siblings, Margaret Kollmar; Inez Sharp and Nellie Parsons; his nieces, Sandra Rhoades; Joy Showalter; and a great grandson, Nicholas Farrell.

He is survived by his step daughter, Gloria Bennett of Tuscon, AZ; grandchildren, Tami Habeck of Tuscon, AZ; Robert (Micole) Miller of Newcastle, WY;  Leona Farrell of Edgemont, SD; 3 great grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren as well as nieces, Beverly Rose; Devera Sharp; Glenda Keller; Patricia Davis; Dusty Thorstenson; nephews, Jim Sharp; Kenny Kollmar and their families that he enjoyed immensely.

 Memorial services will be held 10 a.m., Monday, June 7, 2021, at Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Hot Springs, SD.  Committal services will follow at Custer Cemetery in Custer, SD.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Hot Springs, SD.