Barb Mersch, age 74, passed away on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at her home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at St. Lambert Catholic Church (1000 S Bahnson Ave., Sioux Falls, SD.) Family will be present for visitation from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Friday, November 15, 2024 at Miller Funeral Home – Westside Chapel (6400 W 41st St., Sioux Falls, SD) with a wake service and rosary beginning at 6:30 pm.

Barb was born on February 19, 1950 to Everett and Fern (Wiskur) McKeown in Hendricks, Minnesota. She was raised in Elkton, South Dakota and graduated from Elkton High School in 1968. After school, she moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She earned her nursing degree and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. Barb worked as a nurse for Avera McKennan for 17 years, then Central Plains Clinic, Sioux Valley Hospital, and Sanford Hospital. She retired in 2015.

Barb married Leroy Mersch on March 4, 1972 in Elkton, South Dakota. The couple had three children, John, Pamela, and Jeffrey. She loved her family and especially loved any activity that she could do with her grandchildren later on in life, especially baking cookies and brownies. She also enjoyed gardening and she was a big fan of the Minnesota Vikings and the San Antonio Spurs. Barb was someone who would do anything for anyone in a time of need. She was a long-time member of St. Lambert Catholic Church and her faith was important to her.

Grateful to have shared Barb's life with her are her husband, Leroy "Pete" Mersch of Sioux Falls, SD; her children, John (Sara) Mersch of Colman, SD, Pamela (Justin) Selken of Brandon, SD, and Jeffrey Mersch of Harrisburg, SD; her grandchildren, Avery, Owen, and Gracie Mersch, and Elizabeth Selken;  her brothers, Gary (Peggy) McKeown of Harrisburg, SD, Terry (Jeanine) McKeown of Brookings, SD, and Rick (Rea) McKeown of Brookings, SD; her sisters-in-law, Deb McKeown of Spirit Lake, IA, and Peggy McKeown of Calaway, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; and her brothers, Milton and Jerry McKeown.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Avera Prince of Peace in Barb's honor.