Merlyn L. Richter, 85, Flandreau, formerly of Colman, SD passed away Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at Riverview Healthcare Community, Flandreau, SD. Merlyn was born August 30, 1934 on a farm north of Colman, SD to Fred and Rachel (Liester) Richter. He received his education at Allen Country School and graduated from Colman High School in 1953. Merlyn enlisted in the U.S. Army January 7, 1955 and married Hedwig Kohn on February 14, 1958 in Germany. They returned to the United States and after his discharge June 20, 1958 they lived in Colman, SD. He helped build the Oahe Dam and then lived in Moody and Minnehaha Counties before moving to Washington State in 1965. Merlyn and Hedwig returned to South Dakota in 1973. Over the years Merlyn worked for Boeing, IBP, was an auto mechanic, construction worker, school bus driver for Egan, worked in the Dell Rapids Quarry, and retired from John Morrells in August of 1996.

Merlyn is survived by seven children, David (Jerrilyn) Richter, Dell Rapids, SD; Debbie (Robert) Rave, Dandridge, TN; Kathy (Jeffrey) Weigel, Flandreau; Lori Richter, Sioux Falls, SD; John Richter, Dell Rapids, Larry (Steve) Richter, Sioux Falls; Deniese (Mike) Engelstad, Canton, SD; 13 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; one sister Virginia (Frank) Walker, Oregon; and two brothers, James Richter and George Richter, both of Washington State and many nieces and nephews. Merlyn was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Norman, three sisters-in-law, Neva, Margaret and Sharon and his parents.

Memorial services will be at 1:00 pm on Thursday, July 2, 2020 at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Colman with burial at Colman Cemetery.