Tillie Merkel Obituary

Tillie Merkel, 100, of Eureka, SD, died Friday, June 20, 2025 at the Avera Eureka Healthcare Center.
Ottillia M. Schnabel, daughter of Eva (Dewald) and Conrad Schnabel, was born on March 12, 1925 at the family farm 13 ½ miles east of Eureka. Tillie, as she was commonly known, was brought up on the farm and attended rural school. She then helped her ailing mother at the house and with her siblings. Tillie married Leo Merkel on January 19, 1947 at the Hoffnungsfeld Congregational Church near Eureka. They purchased the Richard Funk farm 17 miles northeast of Eureka where they lived until November 1980 when they moved into Eureka. They continued farming for a couple of years before retiring. Sadly, their farm was lost to a fire on August 23, 2002. Leo died on July 20, 2005 and Tillie lived the rest of her life in Eureka. She was a member of the Eureka United Methodist Church (currently Saving Grace Community Church). Tillie was an active member of the United Methodist Women and the Senior Citizens Center. Her hobbies included growing plants and flowers, gardening, knitting, and quilting many blankets for family and for donating to blanket drive charities. She had a great sense of humor and was an excellent cook. Tillie's greatest joy was her family, whom she loved dearly.
Tillie is survived by two sons, Lester (June) Merkel of Eureka and Curtis (Sandy) Merkel of Aberdeen, SD; three grandchildren, Tammy (Nick) Welder, Michael (Brittany) Merkel, and Joni (Jeff) Batie of Aberdeen; and five great grandchildren, Zoey, Ezra, Beau, Shiloh, and Pearl Merkel of Aberdeen.
In addition to Leo, Tillie was preceded in death by her father, Conrad, on November 2, 1963; her mother, Eva, on March 8, 1986, and 11 siblings, including two infants.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 26, 2025 at Saving Grace Community Church, Eureka, led by Pastor Randall Cloud. Interment follows at the Eureka Cemetery. Pianist will be Orene Stickelmyer and usher will be Jim Mulder.
Honorary Bearers will be Stella Knapp of Greenwood, Indiana; Dwight Schnabel of Rapid City; Glenn Denning of Aberdeen; James Diede of Wadena, MN; Judy Huff of Grand Rapids, MN; Steve Jakober of Belle Fourche, SD; Charles Schnabel of Brookings, SD; and Sylvia Hudson of North Mankato, MN.
Casket bearers will be Derek Merkel of Leola, SD; Terry Ross of Edgeley, ND; Elliott Busk of Rapid City, SD; and Nick Welder, Michael Merkel, and Jeff Batie of Aberdeen.
Visitation begins at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service at Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel, Eureka.
Services are in care of Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel, Eureka.
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