Melvin Arthur Ludvigson

Melvin Arthur Ludvigson, age 89, of Little Rock went to be with the Lord on January 20, 2012. He was born August 18, 1922, to Arthur and Elin Ludvigson in Dallas, SD, where his family farmed. They later moved to Iowa where he met his future wife, Dorothy. Melvin volunteered for the Army during WWII and served in the Pacific area in the occupation of Japan. Upon discharge he married Dorothy Wooley in Cherokee, Iowa, and they moved to Minneapolis, Minn., where he attended Northwestern Bible College (during the time Billy Graham was its president). He was in a singing quartet there and later pastored small churches in Maiden Rock, Wis. and Stacy, Minn. He later worked for District 831 Forest Lake area schools, organizing and running a district delivery program among their eleven schools He was forced into early retirement after he was in an automobile accident followed by a second accident at work. He developed several hobbies, making doll furniture and doll houses, one of which he donated to the Children's Museum in Little Rock, where unfortunately it was stolen. He also wrote poetry, producing a book, PSALMS THE SPIRIT TAUGHT ME . Melvin's health caused their move to Little Rock in 1989, (to avoid Minnesota winters) with their son, Dan, (who had completed his studies, and elected care for his father while his mother completed her teaching requirements) and he chose to move and care for them in Little Rock, and now works at Family Life. Melvin was as active as possible in church, a member of The Bible Church of Little Rock, involved in prayer and outreach ministries, and eagerly awaited his home going. He also greatly enjoyed the fellowship at the Dunbar Senior Center, where he spent much of his time. He was predeceased by his parents, a son, David and a sister, Mildred Johnson. Melvin is survived by his wife, Dorothy of 65 years; sons, Dan of Little Rock and Tim (Debbie) of Big Sandy, Texas; a sister, Irene Dobson of Cherokee, Iowa; grandsons, Ryan, Brent, Andrew and Phillip, Tim's sons; a granddaughter, Gretchen Schulz (Brian), David's daughter, of Minneapolis, MN and 2 great-grandsons, Brian II and Cyrus. The family is especially grateful for his friends from Dunbar, and the drivers for Care Link, and for the excellent care given by the staff at Chenal Rehab and Health, especially for the care of Nurse Lou who saw to it that Mel got to the church services there after the family could no longer take him to church with them. Our thanks go also to Baptist Hospital and Hospice Home Care who made his home going easier. A private graveside service with military honors will be held at Arkansas State Veteran's Cemetery in North Little Rock, AR followed by a memorial service at The Bible Church of Little Rock, 19111 Cantrell Rd, Little Rock on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 1 p.m. Memorials may be made to Dunbar Senior Center, Family Life or The Bible Church of Little Rock. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.