Merle Lynal Crown was born January 17, 1916, north of Wall, the son of Orrin and Maggie (Wetzel) Crown. He attended school at the Huron Rural School. He then enlisted in CCC Camp #790. He worked in the harvest fields in Washington for one year. Then, in 1937, he went to work for the Highway Department for three years.
Merle was united in marriage to Verle Amy Lynch on September 14, 1940. They moved to Rapid City and worked for Johnson Machine for three years. They then moved to Wall and worked in his father’s dairy business. He bought the Puritan Oil Business in 1946 in Wall. In 1961, they built the Wall Bowling Alley with Howard Johnson, Dayton Sebade, and Lysle Dartt. In 1964, he started Red Arrow Campground with Reynold and Edith Paulsen. He later bought the Emil Muller place south of town, where he resided until his death.
Merle was a member of the United Methodist Church in Wall, the Crescent Lodge #210, the Shriners, and Elks Lodge #1187. He was also a director of First Western Bank for twenty-two years, a Wall School Board member, a Farm Bureau member, and coached American Legion Baseball.
Grateful for having shared his life include his wife Verle Crown of Wall; seven children Patty Kjerstad of Wall, Merlin Crown and his wife Betty of Wall, Donna Fauske and her husband David of Wall, Alvin Crown and his wife Donna of Wall, Doug Crown and his wife Darla of Rapid City, Bonnie Ramirez and her husband Tom of Douglas, Wyoming, and Gale Crown and his wife Tammie of Wall; twenty one grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; three sisters Elsie Mortensen of Wall, Doris Sebade and her husband Norman of Tacoma, Washington, and Deloris Foster of Wall; a sister-in-law Mary Crown of California; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Merle was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Wayne and Ivan Crown; a son-in-law Richard "Dick" Kjerstad; and a granddaughter-in-law Rose Mary Kjerstad.
Visitation was held 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., all at the United Methodist Church in Wall.
Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 23, at the United Methodist Church, with Pastor Gary Geiman and Brother Bill Myers officiating.
Interment with Masonic Rites was held at the Wall Cemetery.
A memorial is established to the United Methodist Church in Wall.
FUNERAL SERVICES
Thursday, June 23, 2005 2:00 p.m.
United Methodist Church
Wall, South Dakota
CLERGY
Brother Bill Myers O.S.L.
Pastor Gary Geiman
MUSIC
Dorothy Shearer – Organists
Congregational Hymn
"Little Brown Church in the Vale"
Tom Ramirez – Vocalist
"Amazing Grace"
"Old Rugged Cross"
USHERS
Jerry Johannesen – Bernard Foster – Bill Leonard
PALLBEARERS
Kem Kjerstad – Jem Kjerstad – Kent Kjerstad
Kevin Kjerstad – Byron Crown – Tim Fauske
B.J. Dartt – Chris Ramirez
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Wall Cemetery
Wall, South Dakota
Guest Book
Merle was a first cousin. He was a great father and husband. He was the cement that held the family together. He had great kids, and he will be missed not only by his family but a multitude of people including many, many relatives all over the US. So long buddy.
~ Arch & Yoshi Telgren
1023 Forest Street, Brookings, SD 57006-3225 (6/20/2005)
I am Doris and Norman's Granddaughter. Merle was the best. He made my vacations to Wall welcoming. He was always able to make me laugh and feel like I belonged with all the family in South Dakota. When Verle and Merle came to my wedding it meant a lot to Steve and I. The Family reunion in the 90's was a blast. To all of the family my thoughts and prayers (tears) are with you. Just think of all the memories. I bet you have one for almost every day. Grandma always past some of the stories on to us. He will be missed. Love, Lori
~ Lori Pelland
8420 121st St. East, Puyallup, WA (6/20/2005)
Sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers to each and every one of you! God Bless!
~ Pam Eisenbraun-Blankenship and Family
Sioux Falls, SD (Originally Wall, SD) (6/20/2005)
My thoughts and prayers are with you. The grief is overwhelming at times but gives me the opportunity to reflect on many memories. My Uncle Merle was a treasure and had a positive impact on us all. Love Margaret
~ Margaret Long
Puyallup, WA (6/20/2005)
Merle was always glad to see us when we visited Wall. He was such a joy to be around. Our Love, and Prayers and sympathy to all the family.
~ George & Orrey King
PO Box 1316, Benson, AZ 85602 (6/20/2005)
So sorry to hear about Merle. He was a good friend and pal of my brothers George and Jesse Bryan, so I have known him many years, he will certainly be missed and God Bless you all
~ Aletha and Kenneth Wood
Lexington, NE (6/20/2005)
Our dearest Bonnie - and family,
We extend our condolences for your loss. We here at home are thinking of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sent with Love--All the Budgeteers
~ The Douglas Budgeteers (fellow employees of Bonnie)
Douglas, Wyoming (6/20/2005)
Merle is going to be missed by his family & friends. I don’t know what we would have done without Merle when my Dad passed away. He was a lot of help & support to Mom and took us kids under his guidance as if he were our Dad. He was always there to help out in any way possible and he treated our daughters as if he was their “grandpa.” You can tell what kind of a man he was by looking at his family and you can tell how important his family was to him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Verle and family at this time. May God comfort you all.
Love, Clark, Audrey, Sheila, Gary & Sommerlyn
~ Clark Mortensen
Wall, SD (6/20/2005)
We are fortunate to have Patty and Dick Kjerstad and their entire family as our best friends and Partners. We always enjoyed visiting with Merle and experiencing his always positive attitude. A great man and friend. We send our best wishes, sympathy, and love to the entire family.
~ Gary and Judy Yocum
18450 Trask Road, Wall, SD 57790 (6/20/2005)
We will miss Merle very much, He always gave us such a hard time whenever we came to see him. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God be with you and comfort you in this time.
~ Wade, Gloria and Michael Whetstone
5011 Milton, Gillette, WY (6/20/2005)
I am very sorry for your loss. May God comfort you at this time
~ Betty Bryan
2401 Dakoming Dr. Rapid City, SD (6/20/2005)
We are so sorry to hear about Merle. Our sincere sympathy goes out to the whole family. Merle and Verle were Moms best friends and true supporters of school and community and are loved by everyone. If there is anything we can do please let us know.
Our love and prayers are with you all!
Tom,Kamie,Abbie and Emily Carmichael
~ Tom and Kamie Carmichael
Rapid City, SD (6/20/2005)