Phyllis "JoAnne" (O'Dea) Merwin was born on May 7, 1940, to Michael and Virginia (Martin) O'Dea.  She was raised on the family farm and attended school in Oral, SD, through the 8th grade and graduated from Hot Springs, SD, high school in 1957.  After graduating high school she married her high school sweet heart Albert Merwin on November 4, 1957.  In their 60 years of marriage they had 6 children, 25 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and 1 great grandchild is due April 18, 2018.  She enjoyed raising goats and bum lambs on the farm she shared with Albert and one of her greatest achievements was a summer she raised 100 bum lambs.  She also enjoyed many years of crafting and taught others to do the same.  She would say she loved giving more than receiving.

JoAnne O'Dea Merwin went to meet her Lord & Savior on January 22, 2018.

Survivors include her husband, Albert; her two sons, Ron (Becky) Merwin of Piedmont, SD; Mike (Lisa) Merwin of Park Hall, Maryland; three daughters, Vicky (Henry) Ulrich of Sturgis, SD; Gaylene Funell (significant other Greg Voegeli) of Sturgis, SD; Stacy (Jeff) Lenards  of Rapid City, SD;  brother, Jim (Doris) O'Dea of Bluffton, MN; 2 sisters, Bonnie (Tom) Jones of Vale, SD; Jane (John) Knapp of Rapid City, SD; as well as 57 grandkids and great grandkids and many nieces and nephews.  Also a very special friend Geri Ericson.

She was reunited with her daughter, Connie, her mother, Virginia, and her brother, Loren on January 22, 2018.

Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 29, 2018, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at Church of Christ in Sturgis with Pastor Ozzy McDaniel officiating.

Burial will be at Bear Butte Cemetery.

Memorial has been established to the Hospital Gift Shop.

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