MERRY, HOWARD J. - Minnehaha County, South Dakota | HOWARD J. MERRY - South Dakota Gravestone Photos

Howard J. MERRY

Dell Rapids Cemetery - Dell Rapids Cemetery
Minnehaha County,
South Dakota

Howard
Birth: Jun. 6, 1922
Dell Rapids
Minnehaha County
South Dakota, USA
Death: Apr. 9, 2006
Dell Rapids
Minnehaha County
South Dakota, USA

Howard "Jiggs" Merry was born on June 6, 1922 in Dell Rapids, SD, the son of Henry and Anna Janette Merry. He lived his entire life in Dell Rapids, graduating from Dell Rapids High School in 1939. Howard graduated from South Dakota State University in 1943 before serving in the United States Navy from 1943-46.

Howard served in the South Pacific during World War II as a Lieutenant Junior Grade and after his discharge in June of 1946, he was a member of the Naval Reserve until May of 1956. After his discharge from the Navy, Howard returned to Dell Rapids where he joined his father and brother, Tom, in operating the family business, Dells Motor Company. Howard married Reda Schuldt on Sept. 10, 1950 in Dell Rapids and they made their home together there until Reda passed away on Sept. 6, 2004.

After his parents passed away in 1960, Howard and Tom took over the business which they operated until it was sold in November of 1977 and became Ahrendt Implement. Howard worked at Ahrendt Implement until retiring in 1987.

Howard passed away on Sunday, April 9, 2006 at the Dells Area Healthcare Center. He was 83 and, in addition to his wife, was preceded in death by his parents and his son-in-law, Darwin Kapanke.

Howard was a founding member of the Dell Rapids Golf Course and playing golf was his favorite pastime. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dell Rapids and the George A. Fitzgerald American Legion Post 65. He served many years on the volunteer Dell Rapids Fire Department, including time as Fire Chief. He was a school board member and a member of the Dell Rapids City Council. Howard also played amateur baseball for many years in Dell Rapids.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Tony (Margaret) Merry of Columbus, Ohio, Jane Merry, Wade (Valerie) Merry and John (Kelli) Merry, all of Sioux Falls; his grandchildren Meredith and Matt Kemper, Audra and Ryan Pooley, Megan Merry, Tony Antonopoulos, Benjamin Merry, Andy Merry, Alex Merry and Michael Merry; great-granddaughter PJ Pooley; and his brother Tom Merry of Dell Rapids and his sister Reefa Hanenberger of Laguna Woods, Calif.


Reda
Birth: Aug. 14, 1924
Death: Sep. 6, 2004
Reda Schuldt was born on August 14, 1924 at Ravinia, SD, the daughter of Otto and Goldie Schuldt. She moved with her family to Oregon when she was 11 and returned to the Wagner area fie years later. Later, the family moved to the Lawton, IA area and Reda graduated from Lawton High School in1943.


Reda worked in the business office at John Morrell & Co. until she married Howard Merry on September 10, 1950 in Dell Rapids. They have made their home in Dell Rapids since that time. Reda was a homemaker until her children were grown. She then worked at K.T. Faris Jewelry and Flowers of Sunshine for many years.

Reda passed away on Monday, September 6, 2004 at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls after a short illness. She was 80 and was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Verlyn, and infant sister, Leefa and her son-in-law, Darwin Kapanke.

Reda was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dell Rapids, the American Baptist Women, PEO, the Eastern Star, and the Dell Rapids Museum, the County Election Board, and Meals on Wheels.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Howard of Dell Rapids; her children, Tony (Margaret) Merry of Columbus, OH, Jane Kapanke, Wade (Valerie) Merry, and John (Kelli) Merry , all of Sioux Falls; her grandchildren, Meredith and Matt Kemper, Audra and Ryan Pooley, Megan Merry, Tony Antonopoulos, Ben Merry, Andy Merry, Alex Merry, and Michael Merry; and her sister, Deve (Luke) Giessinger of Clear Lake, SD

Contributed on 4/24/09 by dellsfig68
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Record #: 7346

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Submitted: 4/24/09 • Approved: 4/26/09 • Last Updated: 8/14/15 • R7346-G7344-S3

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