Obituaries

Marty John Mertens was born on March 18, 1972 in Sioux Falls, S.D., to Hugo Joseph Mertens and Carol Jean (Fleisher) Mertens. He died Friday, March 21, 2025 in Columbia, Tenn., at the early age of 53. Marty was a jack of all trades, often found in his shop working on his many “projects.” He was a dedicated Maintenance Manager at CBC Group where he had the opportunity to travel the country and earned his CDL during his tenure. He also spent his early career working for Willow Run Golf Course and Mueller Pallets, where he made an immense impact for many years. His greatest pride and joy, though, was his girls. He married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Tanya Marie (Miller) Mertens on Aug. 26. For 25 years, they raised three beautiful girls together hand in hand: Ashley Sue Mertens, Katlyn Roberta Mertens, and Emma Jean Mertens. He was always so proud of his girls and the strong family that they all created. Their love is one to be remembered by all, forever.

Bonnie Mae Neuberger, 84, of Lake Benton, Minn., died Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Good Samaritan Luther Manor in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 27, 2025 at Grace Lutheran Church, 101 Sherman St. S., Lake Benton, Minn. Inurnment will be in the Diamond Lake Cemetery, also in Lake Benton.

Betty M. Zimprich, 83, died on Monday, February 24, 2025 in Sioux Falls. Her family will be present to greet friends for a memorial visitation from 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 28, 2025 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory. Her celebration of life service will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 29, 2025 also at the funeral home

Ernest “Ernie” Wayne Swier, 86, Brandon, passed away Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Dougherty Hospice in Sioux Falls. A Celebration of Life will be held from 5-7 p.m. Monday, March 24, 2025, at Heritage Lutheran Church in Brandon. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2025, also at Heritage Lutheran Church.  Ernest “Ernie” Wayne Swier was born April 26, 1938, in Humboldt, SD to Walter and Dorothy (VanderLugt) Swier. He graduated from Colton High School and South Dakota State University where he majored in Animal Science.  While a college student, Ernie was united in marriage to Wilma Jo Berdahl on Aug. 1, 1958. Ernie and Jo were proud parents to Scott, Chad, and Kelli. Family was the greatest joy in their lives.  The family moved to an acreage outside of Corson in 1971 and established Dakota Ridge Simmentals. This led the family to be very active in 4H where they enjoyed the Minnehaha County and South Dakota State Fair with the many friends they made. Ernie was also a past President of the South Dakota Simmental Association.