Minnie Gertrude "Skip" Merritt, 92, of Centerville, passed away Monday, April 27, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. If you were part of Skip's family, you had someone in your corner at all times. She supported you through triumph and adversity. She was at your side, even if you were the cause of your own problems (believe us, we know!). If you were family, you mattered to Skip, because families stick together. And in the end, she stuck with her husband, Dale, even into heaven, following him just a few weeks after his own passing so they could spend their 73rd wedding anniversary together on May 2nd. Skip was born in Parker, SD, on May 2, 1922, to William and Ella (Rippentrop) Bosch. She graduated from Parker High School in 1939 and later attended General Beadle Teacher College in Madison, SD, for a short time before returning to Parker and working as a nanny and caregiver for a neighbor. Skip married her high school sweetheart, Dale Merritt, on May 2, 1942, the beginning of a 72-year marriage. After the birth of their first child she spent 18 months in Waterloo, NY, where Dale was stationed in the U.S. Navy. She then returned to Parker and her parents' home for the birth of their second child. Following Dale's discharge from the navy, the couple bought the Royal Bake shop in Centerville in 1946. For the next 40 years Skip was a mother and homemaker, as well as spending many days helping Dale in the Bakery. They retired in 1986, spending time visiting their children and grandchildren and wintering in Arizona. Skip was a member of the Good Shepherd Catholic Church Altar Society, the Centerville Garden Club, and volunteered delivering "meals on wheels" for many years. She and Dale were blessed with four children: Ronald (Marcene), Donna (Larry) Ryken (deceased), Dennis (Susan), and Particia (William) Drui; eleven grandchildren: Michael (Cindy) Merritt, Kathy (Donald) Dvorack, Tami (Kerry) Canady, Timothy (Christi) Merritt, Jeffrey (Paola) Merritt, Mark (Melanie) Ryken, Lance (Ann) Ryken, Lisa Ryken, Matthew (Jodi) Merritt, Samuel Merritt, and Angela Merritt; and 24 great-grandchildren. Skip was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dale; one brother (Martin); one sister (Sena Kasten); and one daughter, Donna Marie Ryken. Many will miss Skip because of her friendly, welcoming attitude. Her family will miss her because she was truly loved. A funeral mass will be held 10:00AM, Saturday, May 2, 2015 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Centerville. Visitation will be at the church on Friday from 6PM to 8PM with a prayer service at 7PM.