Delores (Dee) Melicher was born April 22, 1928, in Freeman, SD, to her parents Leo and Mabel Melicher.   She passed away unexpectedly on May 9, 2018 at University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, CO.  A graveside service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at First Lutheran Cemetery in Brookings. The family will meet at Eidsness Funeral Home and process to the cemetery.  Following the graveside service, a memorial service and light lunch will follow at Eidsness Funeral Home.

After high school, Dee attended General Beadle College in Madison SD.  Following her education, she taught for several years in one room schoolhouses in rural SD.

Soon, however, Dee felt the need to spread her wings, and began a career in the airline industry, working for Boeing Aircraft and Braniff Airlines in Wichita, Denver, and Dallas.  Her employment at Braniff afforded her the opportunity to explore a world she had previously only imagined, and she formed many friendships that survived the years.  Dee retired from Braniff Airlines in 1990.

Dee enjoyed painting, was an accomplished artist with both oil and watercolor, and frequently displayed her art at local events, garnering much praise and even a few awards.  Dee was active socially, and volunteered weekly at her church, Augustana Lutheran.  She loved entertaining friends and family, and caring, giving, and sharing with others.  She was an avid Colorado Rockies fan (go Rockies!).  She will be missed terribly by those who knew her, including her "Supper Club", friends from her Braniff days, her neighbors, and her church.

Delores is survived by two sisters: Lois and her children Jim (Maria), Larry (Kelly), and Nadine; and Marlys (Marv) and their two sons Ryan (Lisa), and Matt (Lilian); also 3 great nieces, 4 great nephews and innumerable great-great nieces and nephews.  She is predeceased by her parents Leo and Mabel; a niece, LaVonne; and a nephew, Gary.

Her family would like to express their gratitude for the outpouring of concern and support, calls from near and far, and hugs from Dee's friends and cousins.  God's peace and blessings to you all.