Melvin Edmund Pursel ~ November 23, 1931 to April 16, 2024 ~ Passed Away Peacefully

Melvin Edmund Pursel passed away peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, April 16, at home in Reno, with his companion of 21 years, Madeline Sanford, and their beloved dog, Eddie, at his side.

Melvin (Chick) was born on November 23, 1931, to Ralph and Gertrude Pursel in Smith, Nevada. Shortly after, the family moved to their ranch in Mason Valley. Melvin attended the Barrett School through 8th grade and then Yerington High School, where he became student body president his senior year. He was a member of 4-H and FFA and later became a 4-H leader as an adult. Melvin attended the University of Nevada, Reno, for two years, where he belonged to the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and the Pershing Rifle Team. He then transferred to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he studied animal husbandry.

He served in the Army from 1953 to 1955, training as a teletype operator and serving on Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Melvin received the National Defense Service Medal for his service. Upon returning to the states, he married his long-time sweetheart, Phyllis Arlene Wood, on October 5,1954, in Carson City Nevada.

Melvin and Phyllis leased the family farm from Ralph and Gertrude in 1955, and later purchased it. Melvin also worked at Anaconda Copper Mine while farming, and in 1965 began selling Farm Bureau Insurance. Melvin received the Crystal Club award and the Gold Club Award from Western Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co., and the coveted Silver Plow Award, for outstanding service to Nevada Farm Bureau in 1992. Melvin and Phyllis also bought a local hardware store, running it for several years. He retired from selling insurance and returned to farming with his son Darrell. Eventually, he retired from farming and lived in Cascade, Idaho, and then in Reno, Nevada.

After 43 wonderful years of marriage, Phyllis passed away in 1997.

Melvin is survived by his children and their spouses Cheryle West and Bob West, Loren Pursel and Sue Pursel, and Darrell Pursel and Suzanne Pursel, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Cory Smith; Cariann (Jay ) Flakus, and their children Ryan and Emily Flakus; Donald (Jen McCauley) Pursel; Candy (Matthew) Lediard and their children Chase Wetherington and Matthew Lediard, Jr.; Denae Pursel and her daughter Tiana Boyer; Dyanna (Will) Nieves and their children, Bixby and Aurora; Brent Pursel (Bri Robinson); and Melissa Pursel. His long time companion Madeline Sanford and her children, Julie (Nick) Sanford and Robyn (Gideon) Davis, and their children, Caleb and Nina. His sister-in-law, Louise Riedel, brother-sister-in-law, Chet and Nancy Wood, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. His brothers Lynn, Clair and Vernon preceded him in death.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Red Dog Saloon in Virginia City on Sunday, June 2, at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Melvin’s memory to the Nevada Heritage Foundation, which provides scholarships for college and trade school students to further Nevada’s rich agricultural tradition by supporting agriculture through education. Donations can be sent to Nevada Farm Bureau, Attention Nevada Heritage Foundation, 2165 Greenvista Dr., Suite 205, Sparks, NV 89431.

Arrangements are under the direction of Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home, 25 Hwy 208 Yerington, NV 89447 (775) 463-2911.