1935
2022
Merlin M. Fauth
RAPID CITY | Merlin M. Fauth, 86, passed away on January 19, 2022 in Rapid City.
Merlin was born on November 24, 1935 in Leola, SD to Ed and Erna Fauth. He grew up on the family farm outside of Leola with his sister, Shirley, and his parents.
Merlin attended National School of Business in Rapid City, SD, where he met is lifelong partner, Shirley Haberstroh. They married on October 28th, 1956. Once he completed his studies, he began his career in the automotive industry. He began working at Frontier Ford in 1955. He worked as the controller until 1969, when he decided to venture into a partnership at Courtesy Lincoln Mercury. In 1972 the dealership was decimated by the 1972 flood. After the flood, the business continued on "higher ground". In 1975, Merlin became the sole proprietor and continued to build a successful legacy for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. His daughters, son-in-law and both grandsons have worked at the dealership. Merlin was a proud grandpa and great grandpa. Both of his grandsons inherited his entrepreneurial spirit. His oldest, Travis, continues in the dealership; while the youngest, Tait, has become an artisan woodworker.
He loved being around his great grandchildren. They always brought him joy. Merlin loved to play cards, golf and garden. He had a huge garden that produced bumper crops of all kinds of vegetables that he shared with family, friends and his employees. Once a farmer always a farmer. He also started a pumpkin patch so he could provide Halloween pumpkins for his great grandkids and their friends. They always had a pumpkin decorating party and Merlin would drive up in his Dad's 1962 Ranchero with a back end full of pumpkins for the kids to decorate.
He was a longtime member of the Rushmore Lions Club, past president of SD Auto Dealers Association and prior participant on the Subaru National Dealer Advisory Board.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Shirley; daughters, Jackie Vesely and Brenda Fauth; grandson, Travis Vesely, his wife Ashley, Callie and Torin; grandson, Tait Vesely, his wife Courtney, Rowen, Franklin and Griffin. He is also survived by his niece, Terry Birnbaum and nephew, Ken Gibeau. And don't forget the two grand-dogs, Nacho and Lucy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Erna Fauth, his sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Paul Gibeau and his son-in-law, Roger Vesely.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Dakota Lions Sight and Health or South Canyon Lutheran Church.
Visitation will be from 5-7pm on Friday, January 28, 2022 at Kirk Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday January 29, 2022 at South Canyon Lutheran Church. A luncheon will follow at the church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Kirk Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
5 Entries
Laurie (Biegler) Hemmer
January 26, 2022
My father Warren (Friday) Biegler worked for Merlin as a Parts Manager for many years! He passed away in 2008. May Merlin rest in the Peace of Christ and may God comfort your family with many loving memories!
Nettie Jutila
January 24, 2022
Prayers to you Shirley and all your family. Remembering the friendship and good bridge games
Herb and Sandra Kaul
January 22, 2022
Our condolences to you at this time. He was a good friend and a good classmate.
Monte Beck
January 22, 2022
Shirley & Family: Sorry to hear of Merlin's passing, he was the first person I met coming to RC in 1955 and going to National School o Business. He was a smart business man and a good friend. You have our condolences.
Monte & Ramona
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results
Jan
28
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Kirk Funeral Home & Cremation Services1051 E MINNESOTA ST., Rapid City, SD 57701
Funeral services provided by:
Kirk Funeral Home & Cremation Services1051 E MINNESOTA ST., Rapid City, SD 57701
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreYou may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read moreThese free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read moreSome basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more