Melva Jean  Sutera

OFFICIANT
Lorney Van Gerpen
MUSIC
Pianist ~ Saundra Mudder
Soloist ~ Steve Peters
Congregational Hymns
“Here I Am Lord”
“Just As I Am”
ACTIVE CASKETBEARERS
Melva’s Grandchildren
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
Melva’s Great-Grandchildren
Melva Jean Sutera was born on December 21, 1930 to Charles and Mary (Vellek) Bambas in their home in rural Tyndall, South Dakota. She graduated from Tyndall High School in 1948. Melva went on to earn her teaching certificate from the Southern State Teachers College in Springfield. For 3 years, she taught at various country schools. On September 24, 1951, Melva was united in marriage to Eugene Sutera in Vermillion. Together they made their new home in the Tyndall area where they would farm for several years. In 1978, they moved to Tabor where Gene worked as a city maintenance man and police officer and Melva as a sewer at Coyote Sports. After living in Tabor for 13 years, they retired and moved into Tyndall in 1992.
Throughout her life, Melva kept herself busy. Melva was an active member of the Presbyterian Church in Tyndall, serving in its Ladies Aid Group and teaching Sunday school for 18 years. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Melva loved gardening and flowers, especially the ones that would actually grow. She was a great cook whose kolaches, dumplings, bread, noodles, and special Easter bunny rolls were dearly beloved by her family. Melva was also a very well-organized woman. She cataloged every event, celebration, gift, or purchase in her detailed notebooks be it special or mundane occurrences. She was an avid supporter of all of her grandchildren’s events, attending as many as she could. Melva was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who nurtured a close family bond. While she expected everyone’s
attendance at the Sutera family get-togethers, everyone gladly joined the celebrations and meals truly enjoying the laughter and time together.
On Tuesday, March 15, 2016 while surrounded by her family, Melva at the age of 85 years, 2 months, and 23 days went home to be with her Lord and Savior.
She is survived, remembered, and loved by her husband of 64 years Eugene Sutera; children: Sharon (Ron) Broz, Lynette (Jack) Schoon, and Randy (Claudette) Sutera; grandchildren: Aaron Sutera, Corinna (Bruce) Huggins, Jeremy Schoon, Tara Sutera, Jeff Schoon, Shane Sutera, Christopher Broz (friend Natasha Conners), and Kaylee Schoon (friend Josh Shelp); great-grandchildren: Tanner Fridrich, Stas Sutera, Carson Fridrich, Briannika Sutera, Isabelle Sutera, Brayden Schoon, Emily Huggins, Jacob Huggins, Mileigh Sutera, Lexi Huggins, Brekken Bossman, Pria Sesler, and Devonne Sesler; and siblings: Maxine Kronaizl, Marilyn Kortan, Eileen Kapperman, and Larry Bambas.
Melva was welcomed into Heaven by her parents, parents-in-law Frank and Emma Sutera, infant grandson Matthew Schoon, brother Charles Bambas, and sister Betty Shelman.