Luke Alan Melius
January 12, 2008 ~ January 26, 2012
Visitation will be Sunday, January 29, 2012 from 3pm to 5 pm at Heartland Funeral Home in Brandon, with a Prayer Service at 5pm. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30am Monday, January 30, 2012, at Blessed Redeemer Lutheran Church in Brandon, with Pastor Daniel Deardoff officiating. Burial will follow at Hills of Rest Cemetery in Sioux Falls.
Luke Alan Melius was born on January 12th, 2008 to Rick and Katie (Skrondahl) Melius. He was brought into the Kingdom of God through Holy Baptism on February 3rd, 2008. His baptismal sponsors were Angela and Jason Johnson.
He enjoyed tractors, making his sister Lydia laugh, spending time on the farm, feeding the cows bales, riding in the “bombine” and being outside. He also loved riding bikes, spending time with his grandparents, and learning Bible stories about Jesus from his parents.
Luke was a member of Blessed Redeemer Lutheran Church where he attended Sunday School and Blessed Redeemer Lutheran Preschool.
Luke was called to his Heavenly home on Thursday, January 26th, 2012, at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls. He is now safe in the arms of Jesus.
He was preceded in death by three sets his great-grandparents.
He is survived by his parents, Rick and Katie Melius and his sister Lydia of Brandon, SD, his grandparents Keith and Audrey Skrondahl of Pierre, SD, and Dwight and Denise Melius of Northville, SD, his great-grandparents, Don and Donna Nieses, Oldham, SD, his Uncle Kent Skrondahl of Sioux Falls, SD, Shaun Skrondahl, Trinity and Taleah of Sioux Falls, SD, his Uncle David and Aunt Laura Melius and their children Landen, Nathan, Teresa and Rachel of Cresbard, SD, his Aunt Angela and Uncle Jason Johnson and their children Carter and Lily of Lakefield, MN, his Uncle John and Aunt Jodi Melius and their daughter Avery of Brookings, SD, and other friends and relatives.
We thank God for the tender loving care He showed to Luke and pray the same love sustains us in the days to come.
Memorials may be directed to the Blessed Redeemer Lutheran Preschool in Brandon.
This poem was given to me when our son died suddenly and it brought much comfort to me, as I hope in time it may bring you some comfort in this tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
“I’ll lend you for a little time, a child of mine, He said. For you to love while he lives, and mourn when he is dead. It may be six or seven years, twenty-two or three. But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me? He’ll bring his charms to gladden you, and shall his stay be brief, You’ll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief. I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return. But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn. I’ve looked the wide world over in my search for teachers true, And from the throngs that crowd life’s lane, I have selected you. Now will you give him all of your love, nor think the labor vain, Nor hate me when I come to call, to take him back again? I fancied that I heard them say, Dear Lord, thy will be done. For all the joy thy child shall bring, the risk of grief we’ll run. We’ll shelter him with tenderness, we’ll love him while we may, And for the happiness we’ve known, we’ll ever grateful stay. But shall the angels call for him much sooner than we planned, We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.”
Author: Edgar Guest
Audrey, Keith, Katie , Rick and families.
We are so saddened by the passing of Luke. I feel honored that I got to meet Luke last year, he was such a sweet polite boy. May God provide you with strength. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
We are so shocked and sorry to hear about Luke. Jack enjoyed being with him in Miss Heather’s preschool class. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of extreme sadness and loss.
You probably do not know us but we are members of Jason & Angela’s church and I know you have visited our church. We were very saddened to hear the news when Pastor announced it this morning and said a prayer for you and your family. We just had to offer you our deepest sympathy and we are keeping you in our prayers.
I am so sorry for your loss..God be with you and your family. You dont know me, but I am Sharon Nelson-Jolley’s daughter…I live in Colorado and truly loved Aunt Alfreda and Uncle Alvin…Again, my God be with you in your time of sorrow.
Karla Paquette
Rick As I shared with you, though we are weak, we continue to be reassured of our peace and salvation with Christ. My sister who is with Jesus, has testified to me of the beauty and joy she is experiencing. It is my belief that the Lord is giving me comfort with that message (and we lost her 24 years ago). Enjoy Lydia, pray, pray and know, that you will find strength – for He shall wipe the tears from our eyes.
A passage that has given me much strength when the sadness comes is “Be Still and Know, that I am God”…we will continue to pray for you, for your strength and courage to face these next days, and that peace replaces pain. We know Luke lives on and through your family, love, laughter and beautiful memories – and the knowledge that someday, you will see him again.
Rick,Katie,Audrey,Keith and Kent:
There are simply no words to express our heartfelt sympathy and sorrow for all of you. Nobody can imagine the hurt and emptiness you are feeling at this time but please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers and we pray the good Lord above will help to ease your pain and bring you strength! You have so many people that are praying for you all and love and care about you and are willing to help you in any way. God be with you all!
Keith and Audrey, Katie and Rick and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Luke. It is so hard to understand the lose of a child. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God Bless and comfort you at this very difficult time.
Although I have not met you before, my son Graham adored Lucas and their share of the love of tractors. He thinks about him a lot! I truly am so sorry for your loss! Our prayers are with you and your family. God bless you.
We are so shocked and sorry to hear about Luke. Jack enjoyed being with him in Miss Heather’s preschool class. Our prayers are with you during this extremely sad time.
Dear Rick, Katie and family,
We are so saddened by Luke’s death. We know nothing can ease your pain at this time, but knowing he is in the arms of our Lord is a comfort. You all are surrounded by the prayers of all your relatives and friends that love you. God bless all of Rosemary and Claire’s family.
our heart goes out to Rick and his family.
“When a loved one becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure”
may you find peace and comfort to know that Luke is in God’s hands. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
we cannot imagine the hurt and pain you are feeling at this time, may God help ease your pain and heal your heart. We are praying for you
Rick, Katie & Family,
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy as you and your family endure the difficult days ahead. May your faith give you all strength and help you all to heal from this. Your son Luke is safe in the hands of the Lord. I hope you can find comfort in the fact that he will always be with you. I will pray for all of you! May God bless you.
Pat Hegseth
Rick & Katie – I am so sorry to hear about your son, Luke. I am praying for you and your families through this difficult time. May God hold you close now and always. Ben & Trista (Smith) Dunsmoor
Isabella & Kenley
Katie and family,
I am so sorry for your loss — you will all be in my prayers.
I am Dwight’s first cousin —- my father and Clair were brothers. I want you to know you have constantly been in my thoughts and prayers since I heard of your tragedy. It’s hard to understand the course of our lives sometimes, but God and his newest angel, Luke, are surrounding all of you in their love and comfort at all times.
Dear Katie, Rick, Audrey, Keith, Kent, & family,
I was so sorry to hear of Luke’s passing. Know that many prayers are being said to help your family get through this terrible time, but also know that he has been welcomed with so much love by his great-grandparents, Alvin & Alfreda, and his great-uncle, Greg. They will keep him close until you are with him again. My deepest condolences to your entire family.
We are praying for your family during this difficult time. God bless.
We are so sorry to hear about Luke. We will miss seeing him ride his little John Deere tractor around following his dad in the backyard. He is now dancing with the Angels in Heaven. Our thoughts and prayer are with you and your family. May God give you the strength to get thru this difficult time.
I am a friend of your neighbor, Holly and a mother of two young boys. I am so sorry for the pain you must be feeling. We all have said extra prayers for all of you. May God grant you all the comfort, strength and guidance to get through day by day! Blessings!
We can not imagine what it’s like to lose a child. We also beileve that Gods hands will surround you during this difficult time. Rest assured that one day he will feel your embrace again. I hope the following poem found on the internet can give you a little peace during this very difficult time:
For those who suffer,
and those who cry this night,
give them repose, Lord;
a pause in their burdens.
Let there be minutes
where they experience peace,
not of man
but of angels.
Love them, Lord,
when others cannot.
Hold them, Lord,
when we fail with human arms.
Hear their prayers
and give them the ability to hear You back
in whatever language they best understand.
Margaret A. Davidson
© 1996 by Margaret A. Davidson
Rick and Katie, Audrey and Keith, We are so saddened at your loss…..we are Anita’s parents and I worked worked with your mom at the clinic Katie…and have met you at Lewis Pharmacy. I would just like to give you all a big hug….our hearts go out to you at this very sad and hard time and may God hold you close to him
much love
Carol and Virge
Dear Rick and Katie,
I’m a friend of Bethany’s in Portland, Oregon. I’m so saddened to hear of your loss. I hugged my children extra tight today. Know that people across the country are praying for you. May the love and grace of our Lord Jesus sustain you in this horrible time.
Angela
Stunned!!! No words can begin to ease the pain you are feeling. May you find a tiny ray of comfort in just knowing how far reaching the loss of you precious son is and how many people are praying for God’s comfort. I lived by Luke’s great grandpa and grandma Don and Donna and grandma Denise (Neises) in the Oldham area. My heart goes out to everyone of you. The cutest little man ever with a smile that will never ever be forgotten.
Dear Parents of Luke, You don’t know me but someone had posted the story about your son on facebook and I wanted to let you know that you are not alone I have lost two children in the last 4 years. My daughter past away at birth four years ago and my son Trevor age 4 at the time past away two years ago in a freak accident playing out side in our yard with his older brother. He was playing with his binoculars that had a strap on it and was climbing on the side of the swing set trying to get on the swing that was wrapped on the top so he could swing and slipped and the strap got caught and he past away. Its not going to be easy but with a good support team of Family and Friends around you does get you through each moment of the day. If you every need to talk to someone that has been down the same road please feel to give me a call or look me up on facebook. 6059241008 lot of love from one parent to another parent.
Rick, Katie, Audrey, Keith and family, I just read about Luke’s passing in the Capitol Journal. I had to catch my breath and then quickly called Andy with the heartbreaking news. Words are never enough at a time like this but please know that our hearts are weeping tonight and you and Luke will be in our prayers. God bless all of you.
Katie, Rick, Keith, Audrey, and Kent,
Wanda told me of your unimaginable loss. I have been praying for you ever since and will keep joining all the others doing the same from SD to AZ and beyond. I know Luke brought such delight, hearing often from my former co-worker, Grandma Audrey, of the special joy he gave you all. We pray for all the comfort and healing you need.
Katie,Rick,Audrey,Keith & family,
Our family extends our deepest sympathy to all of you. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this very difficult time.
I saw this in the paper but didn’t realize the close connections until Bobbie Bierman emailed for prayers. My heart bleeds for you. As a grandmother of 14 young ones I can’t bear the thought of losing one. The tears and thoughts that run through your mind is unbelieveable to me. Please know I ache for you and that all my prayers will be for your comfort and healing. We will never understand why. But plese know that God is always with us and offers his help and healing. Please accept it as so many are praying for you.
I saw this in the paper but didn’t realize the close connections until Bobbie Bierman emailed for prayers. My heart bleeds for you. As a grandmother of 14 young ones I can’t bear the thought of losing one. The tears and thoughts that run through your mind is unbelieveable to me. Please know I ache for you and that all my prayers will be for your comfort and healing. We will never understand why. But please know that God is always with us and offers his help and healing for us. Please accept it as so many are praying for you.
We are sorry to hear about Luke. Our hearts ache for you and your family. We will miss seeing in the backyard following his dad with his John Deere tractor. He is now dancing with the Angels in Heaven. We will be thinking and praying for you and your family. May God give you strength.
We are saddened to hear of your loss; our heart goes out to everyone. Please feel our thoughts & prayers. God be with you~
Heartfelt prayers and sympathy for all the relatives of Luke’s family. Grief feels like a cave, an aimless groping into a black, deepening void. Into your hand I press the only candle I have, a message to flicker in the darkness of your soul:
Grief feels like a cave, but it is not a cave.
Grief is a tunnel, a journey.
The blackness is the same.
The only difference is HOPE.
You know Luke is in the arms of the Lord and is now safe. I pray God gives you strength in the following days and years. Dorenda Anderson (Donna Mae’s sister)
Katie & Rick,
We are deeply saddened for your loss. We can only imagine the pain you must be feeling. It is true that many, many people are praying for you and your family now, including us. Stan & Barb Pagel
I am a cousin of your mom’s, Katie. Alvin and my dad were brothers… Wanted you to know that we are keeping you and all your family in our prayers. was saddened go hear Sunday about Luke but know that God is caring for him now.
Dear Rick, Katie, and Family,
Our prayer with tears…and with faith in Christ:
Dearest Jesus, You know the lonely sorrow that fills the hearts of this family. You hear the groans and see the tears. Ask the Father to send the comforting Holy Spirit to strengthen them. Help them see the family of faith surrounding them. Hold them close. Grant them the assurance that death has been defeated by Christ, our Lord, who died and rose, that we might die and rise with Him, unto eternal life. Comfort them with Your grace and mercy. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Friends of your family from Trinity Lutheran, rural Mansfield, SD
Katie & Family:
I was extremely sadden by the news of the loss of your beloved little guy. Although you do not know me, I want you to know that my family & I will keep you all in our prayers. May you feel The Lord’s loving arms hold you during this difficult time.
Robbie Korthals, CPhT
Rock Rapids, IA
Rick,Katie, Dwight,Denise & family. I am so sad for your loss. I have been praying for all of you since I heard. Your family has been there for me many times and I pray you will have the same love and support from many. My heart goes out to you and my prayers will continue. With love and deep sympathy, Evie
Rick and Katie,
Our thoughts and prayers have been with you nearly every hour since we heard of your loss. Our hearts break for you as you deal with this change in your life. We pray that God graces you with comfort to soothe the pain; strength to “live” each day; courage to handle the tough challenges in the days to come; and peace for your broken heart. May your faith in knowing that your Luke is in the arms of Jesus; give you hope to carry on. May the love and prayers that are blessing you today, be with you always.
With love and comfort,
James, Jolinda, Amanda, Evan, Kate, and our “Angels”, Jacob and Levi Finley
Chelsea, SD
Dear Rick and Katie,
I’m a friend of Jared and Jan’s and simply want you to know that you are in my prayers. Your waiting is not without end. Your sorrow shall cease. Your tears will stop. Jesus lives. Hope in the Lord. Trust in His Word. Bask in His mercy. Jesus lives. By His grace, you will also come to your reward. You will see Luke again . . . because Jesus lives.
To the families of Luke…it is difficult to understand why someone so youg is taken from you. He will forever be close in your hearts. My sincere sympathy.
Katie, Rick, Lydia, Audrey and Keith – You have been in our thoughts and prayers daily. Please know you have so many people who care and hold you all close to our hearts. God Bless You