Photo Jeanne Merchen
, South Dakota
of Kadoka South Dakota died on Saturday June 27 2026 at Monument Health in Custer at the age of 94 Naoma Jeanne Batie Merchen was born July 29 1931 in Butler SD to Glen Batie and Mabel Huwe Batie. She was the third child of eight sisters and two brothers. Her very early years were spent between North and South Dakota. Her Huwe grandparents lived in North Dakota. She started first grade in the Butler School and remained there through seventh grade. The family moved to a farm near Lily SD where the children entered Lily School from which she graduated in 1949. She was employed at Brookings Hospital and this is where she met Harry Merchen Jr. the love of her life who was attending SDSU. They were married on August 19 1951 in Aberdeen SD. Harry was drafted into the military joining the U.S. Army during the Korean…