Final Salute

Douglas Eugene Merager passed away peacefully with his family by his side on June 10, 2026, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Visitation will be held Monday, June 15, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., at Ellsworth Funeral Home. Funeral services will take place on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, with burial and military rites to follow the luncheon at Rosehill Cemetery in Wentworth, SD. The Funeral Service will be live-streamed on the Ellsworth & Willoughby Facebook page.

Doug was born on January 9, 1940, in Madison, South Dakota, to Severin and Emma (Stephenson) Merager. He was the youngest of eight children and graduated from Madison High School in 1959. A lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church and Doug proudly served his country in the United States Navy as a SeaBee.

He was first married to Alice Gehrels, who passed away in 1969. On March 2, 1970, he married Joan (Graff) Maas, and in doing so, lovingly embraced her two children; Alan and Mark Maas, raising them as his own and they were also blessed with three children of their own, Kelly, Kurt and Kim. Following his military service, Doug spent his career as a dedicated Electrical Maintenance Foreman with East River Electric, retiring after many years of service.

Doug was a devoted husband for 56 years, a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and a friend to many. He especially enjoyed coaching his children and attending the events and activities of his children and grandchildren. He played a mean third base in his younger years and loved sharing that passion with his kids. He was a longtime member of the Madison Volunteer Fire Department, Lake County REACT Team, American Legion, Elks Club, and also served as a member of the Madison High School and Dakota State Chain Gang.

He will be remembered by his family and all who knew him for his quiet kindness, gentle strength, calm, steady presence, and the love he shared so freely with everyone around him.

Doug is survived by his loving wife, Joan; his sister Elaine Struwe, his children, Alan Maas of Rapid City, SD; Mark (Danise) Maas of Wentworth, SD; Kelly (Teresa) Merager of Cody, WY; Kurt (Jill) Merager of Wentworth, SD; and Kim (Matt) Bruns of Madison, SD; along with his many cherished grandchildren, Kayley (Mike) Garry, Miles (Allison) Maas, Mason and Mali Merager, Ryan, Tyler, and Spencer Decker, Cooper, Madi, and Owen Merager, Allison (Ty) Jorgenson, Max, Breanna, and Gavin Bruns and 4 great-grandchildren Jack and Hazel Garry and Rylee and Ellie Maas, brother-in-law, Tom Graff, and many members of the Maas family.

Doug was preceded in death by his first wife, Alice; his parents, Severin and Emma; his in‑laws, Clayton and Helen Graff; his sisters, Marcella, Ann, Donna, Phyllis, and Clarice; his brother, John; and several brothers‑ and sisters‑in‑law.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison, SD, or Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD.