Melvin "Zuke" Schroeder, 87, of Bonesteel, SD passed away on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD.  Funeral service will be held on Monday, July 16, 2018 at 10:30AM at the the Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairfax, SD. Burial will follow in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery south of Fairfax, SD.  A visitation will be held Sunday, July 15, 2018 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairfax from 6-7PM with a prayer service beginning at 7PM.

Melvin Henry Schroeder "Zuke" was born on May 29, 1931 in Spencer, NE to Henry and Lillie (Vetter) Schroeder and passed away July 11, 2018 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 87.

Zuke graduated from Bonesteel Highschool in 1949. In 1951 he joined the Airforce spending most of his service years in Germany. After leaving the Air Force in 1954 Zuke returned to Bonesteel and began a lifetime of farming.

Throughout his years of farming Zuke also owned and operated the TeePee Café and the Bonesteel Elevator. As a citizen of Bonesteel he served many years on the city council and served as Mayor. He was also a long time member of the Roy Garinger American Legion Post. Zuke was a long time member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairfax, SD.

Those that knew Zuke, knew his love for his family, playing pitch with family and friends, and driving through farm machinery and car lots. He enjoyed chatting with people and never hesitated to share his opinion.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Carol of 38 years; daughter in-law Mary Schroeder, children Tony (Sue) Vogt, John Vogt, Linda (Willie) Sieh, 17 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, and 1 great- great grandchild, one brother Erv (Lorrayne) Schroeder, two sisters Elva (Darwin) Klein, and Janice (Rex) Balcom, as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his son Jerry (1996), and his parents Hank and Lillie Schroeder.