Melvin Buckanaga

Melvin J. Buckanaga, 80, Ponsford, MN, died Monday, June 16 at his home under the care of Hospice of The Red River Valley. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Thursday, June 19 at the Old Pine Point School in Ponsford, Reverend Coke Smith, officiating. Interment will be in the Breck Memorial Episcopal Cemetery in Ponsford with Military Rites provided by the Lake Region Honor Guard and the White Earth Veterans Association.

Friends may call from 5:00 PM Wednesday, June 18 until the time of the service on Thursday at the Old Pine Point School in Ponsford.

Melvin James Buckanaga, known as “Bud-dub”, was born March 25, 1928 in White Earth, MN to John and Jane (Basswood) Buckanaga. He was raised and educated in the Pine Point Community near Ponsford. Following graduation from 8 ^th grade, he attended high school in Flandreau, SD. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy and served for 4 years. He then served with the U. S. Army for 4 years and finished his military service with a 4 year enlistment with the U. S. Marines. During this time he enjoyed being active in the sport of boxing. Following his discharge, he moved to Minneapolis where he worked as a carpenter, plumber and electrician with Miles Lumber Company. Following his retirement, he returned to the Pine Point Community with his family. Melvin was united in marriage to Bernice Clark January 22, 1960 in Detroit Lakes, MN. While living in Pine Point, he did a great deal of volunteer construction, maintenance and repair work for many Elders, churches, schools and family projects.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, grand children and great grandchildren, going to the casino, playing poker and barbriques.

Melvin is survived by his wife, Bernice of Ponsford; sons, Melvin of Mahnomen, MN, Patrick of Ponsford, Michael of Ponsford; daughters, Wanda and her husband, Scot Blaine of Osage, MN, Diane Buckanaga of Ponsford and Evelyn Buckanaga of Ogema, MN; 20 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; two brothers, Curtis and his wife Gertrude of Minneapolis, MN and John and his wife, Donna of Ponsford; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Melba Hodges and brothers Charles and Jerome. The David-Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes is serving the family.