Lifelong Sherman County resident Merna Jean Dautel, 89, passed away on February 25, 2019 at the Goodland Regional Medical Center in Goodland, Kansas.

Merna was born on September 12, 1929 in Brewster, Kansas to Oscar and Grace (Werner) Berry. She was one of six children. Merna attended school in Brewster and graduated from Brewster High School in 1947.
On March 25, 1947, Merna married Kenneth Dautel in Goodland at the Parsonage of Rev. Lowell Renburger. To this union five children; Ronald, Bonnie, Donald, Connie and Johnnie were born. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Goodland as well as a member of the VFW Auxiliary.

Merna and Kenneth milked cows, raised hogs and had a cow/calf operation. They raised wheat, corn, sugar beets, alfalfa and beans. They also ran a skating rink, which their children helped them run. They owned Dautel Sales, an auction company that held auctions all over the county. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and all her grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, four brothers; Maurice, Gale, Gerald and Merril Berry, as well as an infant twin sister Betty.

She is survived by her children Ronald (Eileen) Dautel of Goodland, Bonnie,(Steve) Linton ofSan Ramon, CA, Donald Dautel,(andShirley Soellner) of Goodland, Connie (Tim) Livengood of Goodland and Johnnie (Peggy) Dautel of Goodland. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services for Merna will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 10:30 AM MT at the United Methodist Church in Goodland with Pastor Zach Anderson officiating. Burial will be held at 1:00 PM MT in the Goodland Cemetery, Goodland, KS.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 1, 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM MT at the Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

Memorials may be designated to the Sherman County 4-H or to the United Methodist Church and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.
Funeral services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.