S. Martin Mergen OSB, 72, died Monday, August 16 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls following a brief illness with pancreatic cancer.

   A wake service was held on Wednesday, August 18 at 7:30 p.m. and the Funeral Mass was celebrated on Thursday, August 19 at 10:30 a.m. in Bishop Marty Chapel at Sacred Heart Monastery. 

   Duanne Marie Mergen was born September 22, 1937 to Arther and Cecilia (Baumberger) Mergen on the family farm near Colman, SD.  She was the oldest of eight children.  She attended Devaney Country School and then St. Mary’s High School in Dell Rapids where she graduated in 1955.  She then attended Mount Marty College earning a BA degree in science. While at Mount Marty she was crowned as the first Queen Marbenette. She later earned a MNS degree in Chemistry and Math from the University of South Dakota.

   She entered Sacred Heart Monastery in August, 1959, and was invested as a novice the following year receiving the name of S. Martin.  She made first profession in 1961 and final profession in 1966. Her ministry involved education at the elementary, secondary and college level and most recently she was the Associate Director of Catholic Family Services for the Diocese of Sioux Falls.  Her education ministry included Mount Marty High School; St. James Catholic School in St. James, NE; VP for Student Life, VP for Finance, and VP for College Advancement at Mount Marty College.  While at Mount Marty College, S. Martin was instrumental in coordinating the yearly Oktoberfest and other fund raising activities. She served on many boards and committees in the monastery, the Yankton civic community and at the state and national level including the SD College Personnel Assoc., National Assoc. of State Personnel Administrators, Colleges of Mid-America Consortium, Lewis & Clark Mental Health Board, Madonna Board of Trustees in Lincoln, NE, and on the Yankton Chamber Board and also as a Chamber   Ambassador.  She was currently serving on the Board of Trustees of Avera Holy Family Hospital, Estherville, IA and on the Mount Marty College Board of Trustees.

   S. Martin was known for her ready smile, her love of life, her enthusiasm in her ministry especially during her years at Mount Marty College, and her love of community, family and friends.

   She is survived by her Benedictine Community; her mother, Ceal Mergen of Dell Rapids; three brothers: Del (Carol), Zumbro Falls, MN; James (Cheri), Sioux Falls; Mark (Cheri), Dell Rapids; and three sisters: Mary Ellen (Roger) Scholz, Stuart, NE; Alice (Jack) Majeres, Dell Rapids; Teresa (Jon) Brooks, Yankton; brother-in-law, Jerry Wickre, Colton, SD, numerous nieces and nephews and her many friends.  She was preceded in death by her father, Arther; and her sister, Carolyn Wickre.

  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Mergen Family Scholarship at Mount Marty College, Office of Advancement, 1105 W. 8th St., Yankton, SD 57078.

                                    Eternal Rest Grant Unto Her O Lord,

                                 and Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Her.

                                                 May She Rest in Peace.