Merle Leon Keiser

Merle Leon Keiser, age 97, of Yankton, South Dakota, died Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton, South Dakota. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Yankton. Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home.

Merle Leon Keiser was born March 19, 1928, in Vienna, South Dakota to Clifford and Gladys (Rasmussen) Keiser. He grew up on a farm near Vienna, South Dakota and attended country school. He farmed and worked various jobs in the area. On March 2, 1947, he was united in marriage to Joyce Helen Brower. To this union three sons were born: Neal L. Keiser, Curtis L. Keiser and Randy L. Keiser. Merle and Joyce followed job opportunities to Morris, Minnesota in 1947; Arlington, South Dakota in 1951; Wahoo, Nebraska in 1957; Fort Dodge, Iowa in 1965 and finally Yankton, South Dakota in 1968. Merle’s career path took him to various companies involved with agriculture product sales, where he excelled for his employers by helping his customers excel in their sales and use of the products.

Merle retired in 1992 and his wife, Joyce succumbed to cancer in 1995. On November 8, 1997, Merle married Verna Bothern. Verna passed away in 2010. Merle enjoyed fishing, hunting, and golfing. His home near Lewis and Clark Lake was his prize possession, where he passed his days enjoying the wildlife and nature.

Merle is survived by his three sons: Neal (Reina) Keiser; Curtis Keiser and Randy (Gloria) Keiser; three step-children: Donna (David) Reaves; Rick (Barb) Bothern and Ronald (Charlene) Bothern; 8 grandchildren: Sheli Reidel, Jonathan Pallace; Scott Keiser (Alicia), Tracy Raab (Larry), Steven Keiser (Michele), Laura Haberman (Adam); Kerry Lowther (Dan), Kelly Keiser; as well as, many step-grandchildren; great grandchildren; step-great grandchildren; great great grandchildren and step-great great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Gladys; wives, Joyce and Verna; grandson, Jonathan and two brothers: Robert and Dwaine.