Roger Louis Merchen

Roger was born on 5-24-1943 and was raised in Nemo South Dakota. He lived in a log cabin with no electricity or running water with his mom, dad, brothers and sisters. In later years the family moved to Rapid City where Roger went to high school and lived with his sister Shirley.

Roger went into the Navy in July of 1961 and served 4 years until his discharge in June of 1965. After returning to Rapid City, he moved to Colorado for better job opportunities.

Roger and his future wife, Deanna, met at work. Roger was working for Rocky Mountain Appliance and Deanna for Downings Appliance. They began dating in October of 1969 and have been together ever since.

They were engaged on 6/27/1971, in Lakewood. They Married August 21st, 1971. A reception was then held in Rapid City at mom's house on 8/29/1971.

He worked for Rocky Mountain Appliance for the Denver Water Department for about a year before returning to the appliance Industry. He worked for Silo in various jobs from June 1973 to September of 1991. After Silo, he started working in sales for several companies that included Fred Schmidt and Montgomery Wards. He went back to Rhodes Furniture and Stickley Furniture in various management positions. He retired from Stickley Furniture and spent the rest of his life in Lakewood.

He enjoyed picking raspberries and blackberries from a vine in his yard and made hundreds of jars of jelly

He owned a cabin in Grand Lake for 20 years before selling it to a good friend. He enjoyed snowmobiling and did a lot of outdoor activities. He took down 489 trees on his property due to beetle kill.

After marrying Deanna, Roger also got 2 sons, Jim and Bob that were just like his own.

One of his favorite things to do was take his trips to Hawaii. He made 8 trips with various family and friends. He also visited Alaska in 1998. In his younger years, one of his favorite things to do was fly fishing. Roger and Deanna enjoyed going to Blackhawk for several years and made many new friends. They usually did not come back any wealthier, but they had a good time!

Roger passed peacefully on May 22, 2026, with Deanna and Jim by his side. He fought a good battle, but in the end, it was double pneumonia and sepsis that won out. He is at peace now and will be missed by many.

He is preceded in death by his father Donald Merchen Sr, his mother Florence Merchen, and his brother Donald Merchen Jr. He is survived by his wife Deanna, his sisters Shirley Fish and Linda Hein, her husband David Hein, and his brother Bob Merchen. He also has many nieces, nephews, and cousins.