Melody L. Kleinheksel, 55 of Lead, SD, passed away at Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital on May 1, 2019.

Melody Lynn (Goehring) Kleinheksel was born December 12, 1963 in Deadwood, SD to Howard and Anna (Voegle) Goehring. She was their youngest child and weighed just 4 pounds 9 ounces when she was born. Melody and her husband Don had been married 38 years, but had been a couple for a total of 40 years. They were married March 27, 1981 and in March of 1982 their first child Trenton was born, and in September of 1983 their daughter Nicole was born. Melody and Don made their home in Lead and she lived in their home on Grandview until the time of her death. Melody had one of the kindest, most loving hearts, a beautiful soul and a special talent for caring and loving any child she met. She ran a daycare out of her home for over 30 years, starting when her own children were very young and was still baby sitting one child up until a few weeks before she went in to the hospital. She did not want to give up. As she said many times, it kept her going and she loved every minute of it. She helped raise many children from the time they were infants, and later when those children were grown and had their own families, raised their children. As she lay in bed at the hospital, some of the grown children and parents of some of the children came to visit or sent a text message to tell her how much she meant to them and to tell her some of the best memories of their childhood were spent in her home. She was loved by so many as a second mom.

Melody accepted Jesus as her Savior, and in her last days as she lay in the hospital, her sister Sharon says Melody was semi-conscious and was looking up from under a damp cloth over her eyes. Sharon would ask her, "What are you looking at or thinking about?" Melody replied, "I am just trying to decide which world I want to be in right now." Sharon said, "Oh, do you see it? Do you see Heaven? Is it beautiful?" Melody said, "Yes!" That, without a doubt, gave everyone there peace that she without doubt, knows Jesus! There was also another time Sharon shared that when they were praying together that they knew Melody felt God's presence comforting her. She had tears in her eyes and Sharon asked do you feel it, do you feel God's love right now, and Melody nodded her head. Knowing this is comforting to the family, knowing their beloved Melody is at peace in the Kingdom of Heaven.

She is survived by her husband, Donald J. Kleinheksel; son, Trenton Kleinheksel; daughter, Nicole Kleinheksel; granddaughter, NaKayla Kleinheksel, and a special young man, Jamin Davidson. Her siblings include a half-sister, Gloria Niesent, and two full sisters, Sharon Orsborn-Bashor and Sharlene Nelson. Nieces Tracy Niesent, Amy (Brady) Orsborn, and Shawna Orsborn. Nephews Troy Niesent, Travis Nelson, Eric Nelson, and Brent Orsborn and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless extended family members.

Visitation and funeral services will be on Monday, May 6, 2019 at the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel with visitation starting at 11:00 AM with funeral services starting at 1:00 PM. Burial will follow the service at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family has established a memorial in memory and honor of Melody.

Arrangements are under the care of the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com