Delores “Dee” Melicher, 90, died unexpectedly on May 9, 2018 at University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, Colorado.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at First Lutheran Cemetery in Brookings.  Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Delores (Dee) Melicher was born April 22, 1928, in Freeman, to her parents Leo and Mabel Melicher.  

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

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 three great nieces, four great-nephews and many great-great nieces and nephews.  

She was predeceased by her  a niece, LaVonne; and a nephew, Gary.