Merlin Devries

Merlin (Moe) DeVries, 78, of Parker, SD passed away peacefully on January 20, 2008 at the Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. Moe was born October 5, 1929 on a farm near Chancellor, SD to John and Ella (Hilbrands) DeVries where he was raised along with his six siblings. On August 23, 1951 he married VeraJean Poppens of Lennox. They made their home in the Chancellor/Parker areas where he farmed for 54 years. In 2005, he retired from farming and he and VeraJean moved into their new home in Parker. Moe was a long time member of Grace Lutheran Church in Parker, where he was active in the church choir and participated in their many musical presentations. He was a Northrup King seed dealer for over 25 years. He enjoyed fishing and he loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and attending their many sporting and other events. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 56 years, VeraJean; his daughters and their husbands: Deone and Steve Christensen of Parker; Marla and Steve Willard of Pierre; Tricia and Scott Bussell of Parker; and his son and wife, Joel and Kathleen DeVries of Rapid City; nine grandchildren: Monie (Heath) Siemonsma, Stephanie (Jim) Even, Amy Christensen, Kimberly and Emily DeVries, Samuel and Jesse Willard, and Cody and Katelyn Bussell; five great-grandchildren: Brayden and Connor Siemonsma, and Tanner, Alexis, and Andrew Even; one sister Darlene (Harold) Friese; sister-in-law Dorothy DeVries and brother-in-law Harm Hagena; and many, many more cherished friends and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Andrew and Eddie DeVries, and sisters Marie Plucker, Elizabeth Hagena, and Evelyn Symens. Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 22 at Hofmeister/Jones Funeral Home in Parker. Family will be present at 6:00 p.m. with a Scripture Vigil at 7:30 p.m. Interment will be held Wednesday, January 23 at 10:30 a.m. at Germantown Cemetery in rural Chancellor followed by a memorial service at Grace Lutheran Church in Parker at 1:30 p.m. Memorials may be directed to Grace Lutheran Church Choir and the Avera Dougherty Hospice House.