Gwen Merrifield 

Dec. 21, 1924 – Oct. 17, 2015

Gwen Merrifield, 90, of Arlington, S.D., died Oct. 17, 2015 at the Golden Living Center in Arlington.Gwendolyn Helen Johnson was born Dec. 21, 1924, in Arlington to Gilbert and Hilda (Torgrude) Johnson. She graduated from Arlington High School in 1941.[caption id="attachment_10439" align="alignright" width="225"] Gwen Merrifield[/caption]Gwen married Bill Merrifield at Arlington in December of 1946. They lived and worked in Arlington until 2010, when they moved to Cedar View Assisted Living in Watertown.After working for the Arlington Bakery, Gwen worked at Citizens State Bank until 1954. She followed Rena Dill as the city librarian for 12 years and enjoyed story time with the children and visiting with patrons about her love of books. Gwen enjoyed bowling, walking with friends, golf, reading and serving 60-plus meals on wheels.She was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church, WELC, Extension, a Sunday school teacher, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Arlington Library Board.She enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren’s activities and spending winters in Arizona after Bill’s retirement. Gwen enjoyed following current events and lately began following the Minnesota Twins.Gwen is survived by her children Linda Cowing, Pat (Rick) Parmer, Shelly (Doug) Alvine and Mike Merrifield; grandchildren Jeremy Cowing, Joanna Cowing, Carrie Wall, Willy Parmer, Travis Alvine, Kyle Alvine, Andrew Merrifield and Nikki Merrifield; great-grandchildren Jolie and Jordin Cowing; and sisters Shirley (Gordon) Lanam and Lila (Mar) Richard.She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, infant son Dana, her parents and five brothers, Eldon, Merle, Wes, Robert and Rollin.Funeral services for Mrs. Merrifield were held on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arlington with Pastor Durk Thompson officiating. Burial was in the Arlington City Cemetery. Visitation was held on Monday, Oct. 19, at the Johnson-Henry Funeral Home in Arlington and before services in the church on Tuesday.