Merlyn Sommervold

Merlyn Sommervold, 82 of Chancellor, passed away on May 21, 2025 at Ava's House in Sioux Falls. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM Wednesday, May 28, 2025 the Chancellor Reformed Church in Chancellor. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 PM Tuesday, May 27 at the church. Arrangements provided by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home.

Merlyn Joel Sommervold, a long-time independent banker, passed away surrounded by his wife and three children at Ava’s House, after an eight-month battle with melanoma cancer. He was born in Akron Iowa on January 15th, 1943, to Marvin and Joyce Sommervold. He grew up on the family farm south of Alcester, South Dakota, where he attended a one room country school through the eighth grade, having only one other student in his grade for all eight years. He graduated from Alcester High School in 1961. He spent one year working with an uncle remodeling homes. In 1962 he began his banking career at Northwestern National Bank in Sioux Falls on 9th and Main. He spent 12 years there, taking classes at the American Institute of Banking, while working in different departments within the bank.

In June of 1962 he married his high school sweetheart, Sherran (Sherry) McKellips. They built an incredible life together, celebrating nearly 63 years of marriage and were blessed with four children. In 1974, Merlyn and his father-in-law bought the bank in Chancellor, South Dakota. He spent 38 years serving customers in the area, always making sure his four children had the opportunity to work for him and experience banking.

In 2011, Merlyn retired and sold the bank, focusing most of his time on golf, gardening, friends, family, and attending as many great grandkids events as possible. After spending 50 years in Chancellor, he and Sherran moved to Sioux Falls in 2024 to be closer to doctors and family.

Merlyn had many interests outside of banking. Early in his career he was an avid bowler, bowling in three leagues a week. He and Sherran spent several years square dancing. He loved the outdoors, whether it was golfing with family or friends, or tending to his garden or yard. Whether it was his traveling golf league, ParMar league, or golfing with his sons and grandkids, he loved teeing it up. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. These interests took him to the Black Hills and Colorado to hunt deer and elk and into Northern Canada to fish Walleye, Lake Trout and Northern Pike. In retirement, his passion was growing a huge garden and giving the produce away. He would spend hours tending to the garden, pulling weeds, watering, and the best part, picking produce that he could share.

Traveling was something he really enjoyed with the family. Going to the Black Hills camping, was an annual event for many of the early years. Other family trips to Yellowstone, California and the Wisconsin Dells were some of his favorites. He also enjoyed a good road trip. He and Sherran spent many years traveling the back roads of all fifty states and Canada. He enjoyed nothing more than viewing the countryside and all the beautiful scenery that God has created for all to enjoy. Last, but certainly not least, was his love of card games. Throughout the years, we could not begin to guess how many games of cards were played with friends and family.

He was a faithful member of the Chancellor Reformed Church, where he served as deacon and elder for many years. He sang in the church choir and men’s chorus, filled candles, set up for funerals, and served as an usher.

His family always came first and was such an important part of his life. He loved serving big meals at home, with as many as he could squeeze around the dining room table and then playing card games.

We will be forever grateful for the compassion and loving care given to Merlyn through home hospice and Ava’s House, and from all his friends and family. How can we thank you enough for surrounding us with love and comfort during this challenging time.

He is survived by his wife, Sherran Sommervold; Three children, Brent (Cindy) Sommervold, Barry (Stacy) Sommervold, and Bonnie (Harold) Smith; Four Grandchildren, Mitchell (Brittany) Kleinhesselink and their daughter Aspen Kleinhesselink, Britney (Billy) Peterson and their children Ava and Cameron Peterson, Wyatt Kleinhesselink, and Natalie Sommervold; One step grandson, Jordan (Callie) Wilson and their children Terec and Ezrah Wilson; Two Brothers Arvid (Deb) Sommervold and Steve (Carol) Sommervold; Brother-in-law Gary and Deb McKellips; and Sister-in-law Bev Livingston

He is preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Joyce Sommervold, parents-in-law, Roger and Wilma McKellips, and beloved son, Brian Sommervold, who died in 1986 of bone cancer.