Lifetime Sutherland resident, Melvin Eckhoff, peacefully passed away on March 21, 2024, at the age of 93.
Melvin, the son of Jewel and Alva Eckhoff, was born south of Sutherland on July 25, 1930. He attended District West 18 school then Sutherland High School, graduating with the class of 1948.
At the age of 14, Melvin started working on farms in the Sutherland area and was employed by the Beveridge brothers. As a young man he also worked on the Lawler farms and for Spencer and Dale Edmisten.
Melvin enlisted into the U.S. Army and served from 1951-1953. He was a tank mechanic and spent 13 months of his service in Germany. After receiving his honorable discharge, he returned home and was a truck driver for the Union Pacific Railroad until he became an employee of Platte Valley Public Power and Irrigation District, which later became Nebraska Public Power District. Melvin started as a laborer and worked his way up to be Hydraulic Foreman before retiring in 1992 after serving 36 years with the company.
In 1954 Melvin met Iola Goodwin at a dance and they married on August 21, 1955, at the Hershey United Methodist Church. They lived their entire married life in the Sutherland community and had three children. They were active in the community and their church. Melvin was a member of the Sutherland Methodist Church and American Legion Post #208 for over 55 years and was a member of the VFW and Lions Club.
Melvin loved working with cattle and horses and volunteering with the Sutherland Rodeo. In 1957 he began helping out as an "un-rigger" (taking the saddles and riggings off the animals after they had been ridden) and continued volunteering for 63 years. He was recognized for his service at the 1990 rodeo and presented with a specially made belt buckle and later received a plaque for his 63 years as an un-rigger. Melvin was also honored as the 2014 July 4th Sutherland Grand Marshal, an honor that his father received in the '80s.
Iola and Melvin made many trips to Florida over the years to visit Randy and his family. After his retirement, he and Iola enjoyed traveling during the winter months to the southwestern states and during the summers, Melvin worked for Jim Haugland Farm and Ranch. After his son moved back home from Florida, he loved spending time with his great-grandchildren. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a highlight of his life.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Iola; parents, Alva and Jewel; brother, Bob (Rosalee) Eckhoff; parents-in-law, McKinley and Deena Goodwin; brothers and sisters-in-law, Lyle Goodwin, Mary (Frank) Russell, Wanda (Wilbur) Lightfritz, Cormae (Harold) Whitaker and Dale (Linda) Goodwin; son, Terry Eckhoff; infant daughter, Nanette Eckhoff; and infant grandson, Bryan Gifford.
Melvin is survived by his son, Randy (Brenda) Eckhoff; grandkids, Melissa Eckhoff, Dustin Eckhoff, Amanda (Josh) Dack and Jeremy (Shaye) Gifford; great-grandkids, Aspen Lenz, Billy Wilken, Everett and Violet Dack, and Graham, Bennett and Ruth Gifford; sister-in-law, Altine Goodwin; numerous nieces and nephews and his many friends.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 30, at the Sutherland Methodist Church. Burial with military honors will follow in Riverview Cemetery. Visitation is Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and with family greeting from 4-6 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Sutherland Methodist Church or Sutherland Rodeo Committee. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.