Melvin Cook

Melvin Cook, age 72, of Milbank, SD, passed away on May 8, 2026, at University of Minnesota Hospital, Minneapolis, MN.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank. Rev. Justin Neugebauer will officiate. Military honors will be provided. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Honorary bearers will be: Fred Scavariel (son-in-law), Tanner Farmen (son-in-law), Jacob Giles (grandson), Audie Dulewich (friend), Norm Anderson (friend), Joel Begeman (friend), Cameron Stowe (brother-in-law), Rich Noordhoek (friend), Mark Poss (friend), Rich Cheatham (friend), and Dave Peiker (friend).

Melvin Glenn Cook was born on July 18, 1953, in Sioux City, IA. He was the son of Glenn and Edna (Wiebelhaus) Cook. Mel grew up in various places and graduated high school in Newcastle, NE. Mel proudly served in the United States Army from October 10, 1972, until his honorable discharge on November 20, 1975. He was stationed overseas at the end of the Vietnam War. He spent time in Laos, Thailand, and Korea. Mel came back from Asia with good friends, an understanding of the Laotian language, and enough stories to share over a cocktail to last a lifetime.

Mel was united in marriage with Robin Holman on October 6, 1984, in Watertown, SD. Mel and Robin moved from Jefferson, SD, to Milbank in 1991. Mel worked for Burlington Northern Santa Fe for 40 years until his retirement.

Mel loved meeting people and cracking jokes. If he teased you, you knew you meant something to him. Mel enjoyed his retirement by spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed doing anything creative: painting, baking, and helping Robin in the craft room. He followed ALL Nebraska Cornhusker sports. Mel loved the outdoors and was a true avid fisherman, spending as much time as possible at his cabin at Lynn Lake, Manitoba, Canada. Mel ventured to Lynn Lake for over 35 years, during which time, he explored the wilderness of Northern Canada, turned his cabin into an outdoorsman’s sanctuary, and created a second home for himself, along with close friends that he considered family. The ‘cabin’ has always been Mel’s happy place, and he was generous enough to share it with his family and friends here in the States.

Mel was a member of American Lutheran Church in Milbank.

Left to cherish Mel’s memory are his wife, Robin Cook; his daughter, Rebecca (Fred) Scavariel and their four children: Austin, Corey, Jacob, and Aza; son, Ryan (Nicole) Cook and their seven children: Dawson, Mason, Jeslyn, Jadence, Ryler, Jaxton, and Adeline; daughter, Brytten (Tanner) Farmen; son, Garrett Cook (fiancé Stephanie) and their two children: Maddox and Letty; and brother, Reggie (Nancy) Cook.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents: Glenn and Edna; and three sisters: Bernie, Glenda, and Alice.