Darlene E. Merritt, 69, Central City, SD died Sunday, March 16, 2014 at the David M. Dorsett Healthcare Center in Spearfish.

Darlene was born in McIntosh County, ND on April 1, 1944 to Christ and Pauline (Schaffer) Lux. Darlene attended country school until she was 10 years old; she then attended school in Ashley, ND, until moving to Lead, where she attended high school. After high school, she worked as a waitress at the Nugget Café in Lead, then at the Franklin Hotel in Deadwood. She then went to work at St. Joseph's Hospital in Deadwood as a housekeeper, retiring 21 years later from Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital.

Darlene loved puzzles, western movies, all animals and especially her cats.

Darlene is survived by her children: Rodney (Wanda ) Merritt, Deadwood, Etta Merritt, Batavia, IA , Darren Merritt, Central City, grandchildren; Shane Merritt, Seth Merritt, Shelbie Myers, Kodie Myers and Dena Stephens, brother; Albert (Viola) Lux, ND, sister-in-law; Esther Lux, Lead. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; Raymond Merritt, brother; Adolph Lux and infant daughter; Roxann Merritt.

Memorial services for Darlene will be at 10:30 AM, Saturday, April 5, 2014 at the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead, with Pastor Steve Agan officiating.