Jeanne Merchen

Naoma Jeanne Batie Merchen was born July 29, 1931, in Butler, SD to Glen Batie and Mabel (Huwe) Batie. She was the third child of eight sisters and two brothers.

Her very early years were spent between North and South Dakota. Her Huwe grandparents lived in North Dakota. She started first grade in the Butler School and remained there through seventh grade. The family moved to a farm near Lily, SD where the children entered Lily School, from which she graduated in 1949.

She entered nurses training that fall and received her LPN diploma the next year.

She was employed at Brookings Hospital, and this is where she met Harry Merchen, Jr., the love of her life, who was attending SDSU. They were married on August 19, 1951, in Aberdeen, SD. Harry was drafted into the military, joining the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. The next two years were spent in Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. This is where their first child was born a daughter, Melonie Jeanne Medalen (Marc).

After leaving the military, they spent much of their life at their farm/ranch near Norris, SD, where they raised their family; adding Terrie Linn Barnes (Keith), Dawn Adele Koch (Mark), Stephen Harry (Sheri), and Timothy Eric (Tammy), and later adding 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

While at the farm, Jeanne became known as quite a cook and prepared many meals for friends and family. She had a large garden, loved flowers, and was a gifted seamstress. They also spent six years at a lovely home in Murdo, SD where they made many friends. During Jeanne and Harry's marriage, they enjoyed vacations overseas and to all 50 states. They spent their winters at Apache Junction, AZ for many years, where they also made many lasting friendships.

They were members of the Norris Union Bible Church, and later in life moved to Rapid City where they attended Hillsview Evangelical Free Church. Jeanne became a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ at an early age, and she was active in Bible Studies and had a burden for others. With her gift of singing, she blessed many hearts over the years.

Survivors include sons Steve (Sheri) Merchen of Rapid City and Tim (Tammy) Merchen of Norris; daughters Melonie (Marc) Medalen of Rapid City, Terrie (Keith) Barnes of Harrold, and Dawn (Mark) Koch of Custer; 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; brothers Darrel (Lynette) Batie of Custer and Dan (Gigi) Batie of Colstrip, Montana; sisters Gwenth Pickett of Spearfish, Beryl "Bunny" (Keith) Berry of Faith, Patricia Porch of Rapid City, and Dixie "Dee" (John) Knolton of Frisco, Texas; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Harry on August 2, 2025; her parents; sisters Verlys Knoble, Marlys Mikkelson, and Carol Merchen; and brothers-in-law Roger Pickett, Phil Mikkelson, Melvin Merchen, and Boyd Porch.

Memorial Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 18, at the Kadoka High School Gym, with a luncheon to follow.

Graveside services will be held 2:00 p.m. (MDT) Saturday, July 18, at the Norris Cemetery.

Service Details

MEMORIAL SERVICE
Saturday, July 18, 2026 - 10:30 a.m.
Kadoka High School Gym
Kadoka, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Ron McLaughlin

MUSIC
Special Music by Great-Grandkids - “Jesus Loves Me”
Special Music by Grandkids and Spouses
“Amazing Grace”
Marci Neilson - Piano Solo
Melissa Merchen - Vocal Solo
Bob Thyren - Hymn Leader
Mallory Bauman - Pianist
Congregational Hymns
“Great is Thy Faithfulness”
“What a Day That Will Be”
“When We All Get to Heaven”

READERS
Seth Koch - Kevin Coy
Jami Guthrie - Courtney Rowland

USHERS
Mark Merchen - Todd Merchen - Doug Merchen

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Seth Koch - Shea Koch - Ty Merchen - Matt Merchen
Grant Guthrie - Micah Medalen

INTERMENT
2:00 p.m. (MDT) Saturday, July 18, 2026
Norris Community Cemetery
Norris, South Dakota