Harry Merchen, Jr. was born October 26, 1929 in White River, South Dakota. He attended grade school at Hillsview Grade School in Norris and attended his first two years of high school in Kadoka. His final high school years were completed at Riggs High School in Pierre. Harry attended college at South Dakota State in Brookings. Harry joined the United States Army and served his term before being honorably discharged.


Harry was united in marriage to Jeanne Batie on August 19, 1951. To this union five children were born: Melonie, Terrie, Dawn, Stephen, and Timothy. They lived by Norris most of their married life before moving to Rapid City where Harry was a salesman for the American United Life Insurance Company.


During his lifetime he was involved with the Norris Community Church, one of the founding members of Steer Inc. which is a mission program involving cattle, was involved in the beginning of the ASSU Camp in Ft. Pierre and was also a member of the Gideons. Harry assisted the cattle manager in the origin and distribution of cattle all over the state.


Being a salesman included travelling across the USA and several countries including a trip to Europe and two to Mexico. They even visited all 50 states. Their trips were very interesting, educational, and enjoyable.


He will be greatly missed and was known as a jokester. He enjoyed all types of table games and was always open to learning a new one.

Survivors include his wife Jeanne; three daughters Melonie Medalen and her husband Marc of Rapid City, Terrie Barnes and her husband Keith of Harrold, and Dawn Koch and her husband Mark of Custer; two sons Steve Merchen and his wife Sheri of Rapid City, and Tim Merchen and his wife Tammi of Norris; 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one brother Widd Merchen and his wife Lana of Oklahoma City, OK; one sister Jeanine Gage of Sioux Falls; and a brother-in-law Vernon Grotzke of Kadoka.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Mark and Melvin Merchen; a sister Ronnell Grotzke; a sister in infancy brother-in-law Dean Gage; and sister-in-law Carol Merchen.

A memorial has been established to Steer, Inc. a non-denominational Christian global missionary support organization that currently supports 85 member mission organizations, 1025 N. 3rd St. Bismarck, ND 58501.

Visitation will be held 5:30-6:30 p.m. MDT with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 7, at the Kadoka Bible Church in Kadoka.

Graveside services with military honors will be held 11:00 a.m. CDT Friday, August 8, at the Norris Community Cemetery in Norris.

Memorial services will be held 2:00 p.m. MDT Friday, August 8, at the High School Gym in Kadoka.