PIERRE, SD –

Melvin R. Cunningham, 95, of Pierre passed away November 15, 2023 surrounded by the love of his family. A Memorial Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00am, Monday, November 27, 2023 at Lutheran Memorial Church with burial following at Riverside Cemetery.

Melvin was born December 22, 1927 in Pierre, SD to Robert & Hazel (Hansen) Cunningham. He joined three sisters, Rose Russell, Bobbi Maher and his twin sister Marjorie Small. He grew up on a farm south of Blunt and attended school in Canning, SD, graduating in 1946. He met Elaine M. David and they were married on June 3, 1949 at the Lutheran Memorial Church in Pierre, SD. They had four children: Michael, Ricky, Keith and Sherrie.

After graduating in 1946, he moved to Pierre and started working at the Standard Oil Station on Euclid Ave until 1953. During that time, Mel served in the SD National Guard from 1948-1951. He then worked, for a short time, at the Firestone Store until he bought the Little Chef Café later that year.

He owned and operated the Little Chef Café along with his wife, Elaine from 1953 until 1957. This was during the time that the Oahe Dam was being built and they were open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. They never even had a key to the door as they were never closed in those 4 years. He worked all of it from running the counter to preparing meals on the grill.

He sold the Little Chef Café in the spring of 1957 and worked a short time at the Texaco Station before going to work in October for the Pierre National Bank (now BankWest). He worked there for 30 years in the loan department, retiring in December 1987.

In 1991, he started “coffeeing” every day with a great group of guys. They would meet every morning at the Ramkota to visit and solve the world’s problems. He continued this much enjoyed tradition until 2020.

He was a terrific woodworker. He remodeled their entire kitchen, which included making all the cabinets. He was very meticulous and took great pride in his work.

He was a terrific husband, Dad and Grandpa who loved his family very much and was always there for them. He was fun to be with and was always willing to lend a helping hand.

Grateful for having shared his life is his son, Keith Cunningham, Greeley, CO; his daughter Sherrie (Pat) Murphy, Pierre, SD; 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren; brothers-in-law John Davis, Longview, WA, and Bob David, Fruita, CO, along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine Cunningham, two sons Michael & Ricky Cunningham, his father and mother, three sisters, three brothers-in-law, his father-in law and mother-in-law.

In lieu of flowers, Mel’s family suggests contributions be made to Countryside Hospice.

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