Obituary of Alton Schelske

   Parkston - Alton Schelske, 87, died at Avera Bormann Manor in Parkston on Friday, August 18, 2017. Funeral service will be Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 10:30 AM at Salem Lutheran Church in Parkston with burial following in Parkston Protestant Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, August 21, 2017 from 5 - 7 PM at Salem Lutheran Church in Parkston with a prayer service at 7:00 PM.

   Alton Schelske was born October 24, 1929 to Adolph and Emalie (Schnable) Schelske on the family farm east of Parkston. He attended Klum Country School east of Parkston, SD. He was united in marriage to Alvina Mehlhaf on August 12, 1956 near Menno, SD at Kassel Reformed Church. They farmed near Parkston on the family farm that was homesteaded by Gottfried Schelske. Alton enjoyed playing cards, attending dances, local high school basketball games, and spending time with his grandchildren. He started Little Elmers Accordion Band in 1949 along with his twin brother, Elmer. He died on Friday, August 18, 2017 at Avera Bormann Manor in Parkston at the age of 87.

   Grateful for having shared his life are his 3 children, Jeanne Schelske of Parkston, SD, Merlyn Schelske of Hope, AK, and Mark Schelske and wife, Karla of Parkston, SD, twin brother, Elmer Schelske of Menno, SD, brother-in-law, Wilmer Mehlhaf and wife, Gladys of Freeman, SD, sisters-in-law, Vernetta Schulz and husband, Donald of Parkston, SD and Twyla Mehlhaf of Freeman, SD, special friends, Margean Bender and husband, Paul of Tripp, SD and Carolyn Winckler of Tyndall, SD, 6 grandchildren, Dana, Sara, Shelby, Jason, Sara Olson and husband, Dustin, and Dustin Koch, and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

   He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Alvina, brother, Ervin Schelske and wife, Katie, sister, Leona Pietz and husband, Ted, sisters-in-law, Agnes Schelske, Eldora, Melinda, and Marlene Mehlhaf, Iona Hess and husband, Keith, 2 brothers-in-law, Leroy and Alvin, grandson, Justin Winckler, and nephew, Dannie Kurtz.