Merle Dean Swenson (85) of Rapid City, SD passed away December 19, 2020 after a brief illness.

Merle was born to Theodore and Amy (Bard) Swenson in the tiny town of Lane, SD on August 5, 1935. The son of hard-working, entrepreneurial parents, Merle learned to think on his feet and work hard. He graduated from Lane High School in 1953.

On a blind date in Huron in 1955, Merle met the love of his life, Carol Ellison. The couple were married the following summer—July 28, 1956—in the small country church near Vermillion that Carol's grandparents helped to build. Together, Merle and Carol raised a beautiful family and modeled for them a marriage based in love, commitment, and mutual sacrifice and centered around The Lord. The couple remained deeply in love and best friends for 64 years.

As newlyweds, the Swensons spent a short while in Huron before moving to Rapid City, SD so Merle could pursue a degree at the School of Mines and Technology. Two years into his studies, the couple started a family and Merle put his education on hold. As a dedicated provider, Merle frequently worked two jobs to make ends meet and the family moved several times as he accepted better career opportunities. The Swensons lived in the South Dakota cities of Huron, Canton, Sioux Falls, Pierre, and Rapid City.

Merle was proud to have worked for the State of South Dakota for 32 years. He was a Registered Land Surveyor and was employed as an engineer for the Department of Transportation (DOT). Early in his career, Merle worked for the State on land surveying crews in the Black Hills. No one was more fun to drive through the Hills with—he had a story for every curve and stretch of road!

Throughout his years at the DOT, Merle helped install and integrate the State's very first CAD (Computer Aided Design) software, and the first GPS technology in the State. His final job title was Director of Surveys and Photogrammetry. Merle served an additional 10 years with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after he retired from the State.

Merle was also a devoted volunteer and was committed to serving the community in which he lived. He touched countless lives while volunteering with The Journey Museum, Optimist International, and other professional and social organizations. Merle also enjoyed golfing, travel, visiting his family, and he was a voracious reader.

Above all, Merle should be remembered as a Godly man who was honored to serve God and his people however, he was called. He was a dedicated member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid City; a quiet leader, who led by example. Merle was someone everyone knew and liked because he was honest, fair, and always kind.

Merle is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Carol; children: Pam Shepherd of Portland, OR; Vicki (Ron) Dutenhoffer of Frederick, SD; Michael Swenson, Rapid City; and Amy (Matt) Einspahr, Brookings. Merle and Carol have been blessed with 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; older siblings: Lowell, Marvin, and Dorothy (Mueller) Swenson; two sisters in childhood: Florence, and baby; and three nephews.

Services will be held Saturday December 26, 2020 at 1:00pm at Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid City.

A live feed of the service will be available at www.facebook.com/calvaryrapidcity/ or www.youtube.com/channel/UCm-HZxjRVx3uDADKUNoGbiQ and the church website at www.calvaryrapidcity.org

A celebration of Merle's life will be held at a later date.