Funeral services for Melanie Homandberg will be at 10:30AM on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at Nathanael Lutheran Church in Alcester. Visitation will be at the church Friday from 2-8PM with the family present from 7-8PM and a prayer service at 7PM.

Melanie was born September 8, 1962 in Canton, SD to Elmer and Wava (Hagen) Homandberg. She died at Bethesda of Beresford September 29, 2009 at the age of 47 years and 21 days.

She was baptized at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Beresford. At the age of four, Melanie attended Jolley School in Vermillion. She attended Alcester schools from age 12-16. In 1981, Melanie moved to Sioux Falls and was enrolled at South Dakota Achieve. She cleaned at Good Samaritan executive offices and the Sanford library. Melanie was diagnosed with cervical cancer June 21, 2009.

Special Olympics were an important part of Melanies life. She was on the bowling team that won the gold medal for the US at the World Special Olympics held in North Carolina. She was a Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan and followed local sports teams as well. Melanie loved music and dancing.

Her surviving family includes her parents, Elmer and Wava Homandberg of Alcester; siblings, Patricia Homandberg of Beresford, Regan (Linda) Homandberg of Alcester, Grant Homandberg of Beresford, Renae (John) VandeMore of Fairview and Jill (Dave) Hammitt of Owatonna, MN; boyfriend of 20 years, Randy Wieman of Sioux Falls; 24 nieces and nephews; nine great-nieces and nephews; special aunt, LeAnn Knudson; and a host of cousins and friends.

Her paternal and maternal grandparents and special great-uncle, Carlyle Hagen, preceded her in death.