Merilee Kennison, 62, of Pierre, SD and formerly of Brownsville, SD, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2012 surrounded by her family, and her dear friends the Chirstophersons at St. Mary's Hospital in Pierre.

Prayer services will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at the Mary House Chapel in Pierre. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, May 25, 2012 at the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead. Memorials may be directed to the Hospice Center of your choice or to Cancer Research.

Merilee was born December 26, 1949 to Donald G. and Johanna G. (Brunink) Ells in Platte, SD. She was raised in Brownsville, SD and later moved to Rochford Road Community. She was united in marriage to D. Lynn Kennison on January 24, 1971, and from this union three children were born. In May 2000 she and her family moved to Pierre SD. She lived everyday for sewing, her husband, her children and her beautiful granddaughter Kelly Jo.

She is survived by her husband D. Lynn Kennison, Pierre, SD; daughter, Tacy Kennison, Fort Pierre, SD; son, Troy Kennison, Aberdeen SD; daughter Abby Kennison, Cheyenne, WY; granddaughter, Kelly Jo Fetter, Fort Pierre, SD; sister Cindy Hass, Grand Prairie, TX; and many nieces and nephews and their families.

She is preceded in death by both parents, younger sister Joy Swenson, father-in-law Darrell W. Kennison.

The family would also like to say a special thank you to all the nurses and CNA's that took care of her both in Pierre and Rapid. And a very special thank you to the ladies at the Ambulatory Care Clinic in Pierre.