Helen Ruth Smith, the youngest of 10 children, was born September 1, 1903, at Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin, to William Jasper and Mary I. (Halvorson) Smith.

At the age of five years, her family moved to North Dakota.  She graduated from high school in Judd, North Dakota, then attended Ellendale Normal for one year where she received her teaching certificate.  Her first teaching job was at the Bonhorst School northeast of Midland.  Next she taught four years at Midland High School as a commercial teacher.  Later she taught in Ft. Pierre and in Powell.

Helen was united in marriage to Oscar Clarence Merkle on June 20, 1936, at Huron, South Dakota.

Helen enjoyed crocheting afghans for her family, attending basketball games, and many other school activities.  She especially loved her family from her own children to grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Helen was a member of the Open Bible Church of Midland, served as clerk of the Midland School Board, clerk of the Midland Town Board, helped organize the Midland PTA and community library, was treasurer of the Open Bible Ladies W.W.F., was a member of the See and Do Hobby Club and the New Century Club.

Grateful for having shared her life are her three daughters, Verona Evans and her husband, Bob, with whom she lived with prior to entering the Philip Nursing Home; Kathleen Tolton and the late Robert Tolton; Laurel Nemec and her husband, Ernie, all of Midland; two sons, Lawrence Merkle of Seattle, Washington, and Ronnie Merkle and his wife, Janet, of Spearfish; 19 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband, Oscar Merkle, she was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Mary Wanaka, Lena Smith, and Turena Smith; six brothers, Henry, Harvey, Adolph, Ole, Roy and Jasper Smith.

A memorial is established.

Services
Thursday, April 6, 1995
2:00 p.m.
Open Bible Church
Midland, South Dakota

Officiating
Reverend Dan Carlson
Reverend C.E. McKinley

Music
Robert Sheeley - Organist
Pastor Randy Brock & Sarah Carlson - Vocalists

Eulogy
Lawrence Merkle

Ushers
Dave Calhoon - Jim Bierle

Active Pallbearers
Stan Evans - Allen Evans
Neil Tolton - Randy Nemec
Terry Nemec - Rick Nemec

Honorary Pallbearers
Scott Anderson - Ross Jones
Ken Standiford - Mike Koehler

Interment
Midland Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota