Obituary of Laddie L. Merkwan

Laddie L. Merkwan, 89, formerly of Tabor, South Dakota passed away Wednesday, November 04, 2015 at Avera Sister James Care Center Yankton. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 7, 2015 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, South Dakota. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Friday, November 6, 2015 at the Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel in Tabor with a Wake service at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be Joe Merkwan (nephew), Jim Merkwan (nephew), Chris Mensing (grandson), David Mensing (grandchild), Scott Dirkx (grandson [in-law]) and Raeven Mazion (great-grandson). Laddie was born April 2, 1926 to Anton and Anna (Cahoy) Merkwan at home in rural Tabor, South Dakota. He started school at the Catholic school in Tabor and graduated from Tyndall High School in 1943. He married Lillian Cwach on May 24, 1948 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor. He actively farmed until 75 years of age and continued to live on the same farm until moving to Majestic Bluffs, Yankton, with Lillian in 2012. In addition to farming, he sold Golden Harvest Seed Corn for 25 years, served on the church council, and loved playing Cvick (cards) with family and friends. Laddie spent his last months in Riverfront at Sister James and had a smile for everyone. Laddie is survived by his loving wife, Lillian of Yankton, SD; three children: Richard (Tonye) of Early, IA, Irene (Mark) Mensing of Blue Earth, MN and John (Kathy) of Roanoke, VA; six grandchildren: Karie Merkwan of Bell Plaine, MN, Jaci (Dan) McCoy of Storm Lake, IA, Amanda (Scott) Dirkx of Norwalk, IA, Liz (Craig) De Velder of Vermillion, SD, Chris (Gretchen) Mensing of Lansing MI, David (Melissa) Mensing of Spirit Lake IA; and twelve great-grandchildren: Raeven Mazion, Zoe and Kamryn McCoy, Lucas, Isaac and Brynleigh Dirkx, Tyler and Kate De Velder, Brendan and Jake Mensing, Abigail and Jackson Mensing. Laddie was preceded in death by his parents and his two brothers, Edward Merkwan and Alvin Merkwan.