Delilah Rae Merrick was born February 3, 1932 in Alcester, SD to parents Oscar and Evelyn Newberg. She passed away on November 5, 2016 at Bethany Home in Brandon, SD at the age of 84 years, 9 months and 2 days.

Delilah grew up in Alcester and graduated from Alcester High School. She married Roland "Jack" Merrick on July 21, 1950 at Nathanael Lutheran Church in Alcester. Along with helping Jack on the family farm, Delilah worked at a grocery store, clothing store and a Veterinarian's office. Jack died in March of 2012. Delilah later moved to Bethany Home in Brandon, SD and has resided there until the present time.

Delilah was a lifelong member of Nathanael Lutheran Church in Alcester where she was involved in numerous church activities. She enjoyed exercising and would ride her bike five miles and walk five miles every day. Delilah enjoyed life, including an appreciation for music, a skill for growing plants and flowers (she hated pigs though, they would trample her petunias), an indulgent habit of eating dessert before the main course and cherishing coffee time with friends. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved them very much and was the "Rock of Gibraltar" for them. She often encouraged them to follow their dreams and loved them unconditionally.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jack, her grandson Matthew Steven Merrick, two sisters, Beverly Anderson and Dorothy Brown and her brother Bud Naeve.

Surviving her are two children; Rachelle DeVecchio and husband Joseph of Scottsdale, AZ and Steve Merrick and wife Laurel of Cedar Rapids, IA; a grandson Nathan Merrick of Santa Monica, CA; a special sister-in-law and Delilah's best friend and a second mother to Steve and Rachelle, Marlene Thorson of Brandon, SD; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Memorials may be directed to Bethany Home Foundation or Nathanael Lutheran Church.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM, Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at Nathanael Lutheran Church in Alcester with burial to follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Alcester. Visitation with family present will be Tuesday from 5PM to 7PM at Wass Funeral Home in Alcester.