Milton "Pin" Merry

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Milton “Pin” Merry, 92, of Dell Rapids passed away Monday, January 7, 2013 at The Avera Dells Area Health Center.

Funeral services will begin at 11:00 AM Thursday, January 10, 2013 at United Methodist Church in Dell Rapids. Burial will be in the Dell Rapids Cemetery.

Visitation will begin at 2:00 PM Wednesday with the family present from 5-7:00 PM at Minnehaha Funeral Home, Dell Rapids.

Milton was born March 27, 1920 in Logan Township east of Dell Rapids to parents Grey and Emma (Norgaard) Merry. The family moved to Dell Rapids in December of 1920. He grew up and received his education in Dell Rapids, graduating from Dell Rapids High School in 1940. After graduation he was employed at Merry Brothers Garage.

Pin married Adelia "Dee Dee" Erickson on February 22, 1944 at the bride’s parent’s home in Blinsmon Township in Moody County. The couple moved to a farm in Logan Township at that time, residing there for 49 years. They retired from farming and had their farm sale September 18, 1993. They moved to a house on Wyland Dr. in Dell Rapids September 21, 1993. In 2007 they moved to Orchard Hills in Dell Rapids. Dee Dee passed away July 25, 2011.

Pin was an active member of United Methodist Church, a board member of Hart School #27, Logan Township and Dell Rapids Cemetery. He also was a member of the Farm Bureau and IOOF Lodge #8 where he held local and district offices and was the Goodwill Ambassador for Dell Rapids. Pin especially enjoyed playing horseshoes and was very good at it. He belonged to many leagues and played tournaments around the state. He was a director for the State Horseshoe League for six years. Pin was honored September 2, 2000 when he was inducted into the South Dakota State Horseshoe Hall of Fame at a banquet in Madison, SD.

Grateful for having shared his life are his son, Stuart (Janice) Merry, Garrison, ND; daughter, Toni Lynne Poor Bear, Seattle, WA; fourteen grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sisters, Irma Etcheverry, San Jose, CA and Georgia (Gordon) Lease, Rapid City, SD and many other relatives and friends.

Pin was preceded in death by his wife, Adelia; parents, Grey and Emma; son, Gordon Arthur; daughter, Bonita Louise and sister, Ora Jane Brooks.