Mert I. Nelson was born June 1, 1929 in Alliance, Nebraska, the daughter of Edward John and Bertha (Randall) Nelson. She grew up and received her education in Alliance. Mert was united in marriage to Laurence V. Rubottom on November 30, 1945 at Hot Springs, South Dakota and to this union were born five children: Karen, Larry, Robert, Vickie, and Debra. They made their home in Alliance until moving to Rapid City in the early 1950’s.

In 1957 she and her children moved to Philip.

Mert was united in marriage to Glen L. Fite in October 1961. While in Philip she worked for Ed and Opal Bodkin. Her husband Glen preceded her in death on March 28, 1972.

She was united in marriage to Donald W. Jacobson on June 3, 1976 at Newcastle, Wyoming. They made their home in Philip where she continued to work for Ed and Opal for a total of twenty years. In 1987, due to health reasons, she retired from her work.

Her husband Donald Jacobson preceded her in death on January 10, 2004.

Grateful for having shared her life are two sons Larry Fite of Kadoka, and Robert "Bob" Fite and his wife Lou Ann of Philip; two daughters Karen Pinney and her husband Terrance of Philip, and Vickie Fite and her husband Maurice of Philip; thirteen grandchildren, Scott and Kevin Pinney, Teresa O’Connell, Bradley, Chad, Lori and Bryon Fite, Vona Cuny, Andrew, Melissa, Matthew, Ashley and Marlis Reckling; eighteen great-grandchildren, Brady, Austin, Cheyenne, Kenzy, Kady, Kaylor, Kayla, Jeff, Mason, Owen, Ashley, Austin, Zenayah, Tracey, Lukus, Casey, Kenda, and Trenton; two brothers Ray Nelson and his wife Maxine of Alliance, Nebraska, and Bill Nelson of Yuma, Arizona; one sister Marvis Kaplan of Greeley, Colorado; three step-sons Donald D. Jacobson and his wife, Gail of Ft. Pierre; Jeff Jacobson and his wife, Gayle; and Jerry Jacobson and his wife Karen , all of Little Falls, Minnesota; one step-daughter, Dawn Jacobson of Lincoln, Nebraska; seven step-grandchildren, Travis, Joyel, Tory, and Tyler Jacobson, Mindy and Gunner Rush, and Bryce Ritchie; seven step-great-grandchildren, Zack, Hunter, Hayden, McKenzey, Morgan, Skylar, and Heaven; her father and mother in-law, Stanley and Loleta Jacobson of Philip; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husbands Glen L. Fite and Donald W. Jacobson, Mert was preceded in death by a daughter Debra Rubottom; her parents; her brother Eugene Nelson; and three sisters Florence Morse, Helen Opal Nelson, and Hilda Apple Garth.

Visitation was held 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 6, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Monday.

Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m. Monday, at the First Lutheran Church in Philip, with Pastor Ann Schlossnagle officiating.

Interment was in the Masonic Cemetery, Philip, South Dakota.

A memorial is established.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Monday, June 7, 2004 2:00 p.m.
First Lutheran Church
Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Ann Schlossnagle
MUSIC
Organist – Marilyn Millage
Vocal Duet
Amy Woodward – Kayla O’Connell
USHERS
Roger O’Connell – Loren Cuny
ACTIVE PALLBEARERS
Bryon Fite – Vona Cuny
Scott Pinney – Kevin Pinney
Teresa O’Connell – Matt Reckling
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota