Merrill Gregg January 16, 1940 – January 26, 2019 Send Sympathy Gifts Sign Guestbook| View Guest Book Entries| Send Sympathy Card Merrill Bernard Gregg, 79, of Pierre, died January 26, 2019, after a four year battle with ALS. Merrill was born January 16, 1940 in Pierre, South Dakota to Laverne (Sam) and Edna (Cowan) Gregg. He was the fifth of eight children.
He spent most of his youth in the pocket area south of Harrold, SD. He often shared stories of growing up along the banks of the old Missouri River and the cottonwood forests that bordered it. Work started at an early age for Merrill and his siblings, but it was always tempered with fun with a huge extended family.
After graduating from Harrold High School, he attended one year at Arizona State University, and participated on the rodeo team riding saddle broncs. In 1964 he was drafted into the Army and stationed at Ft. Carson, Colorado.
He was honorably discharged as a Chemical Staff Specialist in 1966. After a short courtship, Merrill was united in marriage with Patricia Schmitz on June 29, 1964 in Highmore, SD. To this union three sons were born: Scott, Clark and Eric.
The family made their home in Pierre SD. Merrill and his brother-in-law Jerald Thorn started Oahe Moving & Construction. The company moved buildings, built and moved grain bins, built Butler buildings, poured concrete and eventually branched out into farming.
Some of the more interesting projects included when they moved a house across the ice on the Cheyenne River in the late 60’s, moving barges from Pierre to Yankton, and moving the historic Wegner House in Pierre. Merrill ran the business on his own from 1993-2009 after his partner Jerald passed away. Merrill was a small business owner for 50 years.
Most important to Merrill was spending time with family and friends. He was a passionate golfer and enjoyed spending his summer days with a group kindly known as the Ft. Pierre Mafia.
He was a member of the Duffers Golfing League for many years and participated in many golf tournaments. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Patricia and their sons; Scott (Laurie) and Eric (Lori) all of Pierre, and daughter-in-law, Suzy Gregg of Gardner, KS. Merrill and Pat were blessed to have four grandchildren: Mitchell, Nicholas, Lexi and Nathan.
He enjoyed spending time with his brothers and sisters: Richard (Connie) of Springfield, VA, Kenneth (Marge) Gregg of Rapid City, SD, Corinne (Keith) Aasby of Highmore, SD and Betty (Marty) Wortman of Highmore, SD. Merrill was thankful for his friendships and appreciated all who stopped by to visit. Merrill was proceeded in death by his parents; son Clark; infant grandson Matthew; sisters Kathleen Smith and Patricia Thorn.
Merrill’s life will be celebrated with visitation 5:00-700pm, Friday, February 1st at Isburg Funeral Chapel followed by a prayer service at 7:00pm. Services will be at 10:00am, Saturday, February 2 at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church with burial at Riverside Cemetery in Pierre. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the ALS Association or Countryside Hospice.
SERVICES Visitation Friday, February 01, 2019 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Isburg Funeral Chapel 439 S. Pierre St Pierre, SD 57501 Get Directions on Google Maps Prayer Service Friday, February 01, 2019 7:00 PM Isburg Funeral Chapel 439 S. Pierre St Pierre, SD 57501 Get Directions on Google Maps Funeral Service Saturday, February 02, 2019 10:00 AM Ss.
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