Merle Donald Thue, 85, of Brookings, died peacefully October 23, 2015, with family at his side. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 30, 2015, at First Lutheran Church in Brookings, with interment and military rites at Greenwood Cemetery. Visitations will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. Merle was born on Feb. 1, 1930 to Sophus and Jessie (Christensen) Thue in Bryant, SD. He graduated from Arlington High School before being drafted into the United States Marine in 1951 to serve our country during the Korean War.After receiving an honorable discharge as a Private First Class in 1953, he returned home to help on the family farm. On June 10, 1955, Merle was united in marriage to Patricia Ann (Pat) Bohls in Arlington, SD. They continued farming in the Lake Norden and Arlington area until 1969, when they moved to Brookings.Merle worked at Cal's Motor Company before joining Larson Manufacturing. Merle retired after 20 years at Larson, but went on to work part time for the Brookings Park and Forestry Department, mowing lawns and performing various repairs for the department. While Merle was dedicated to his work, his true passions were his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Merle was a fixture at any of the children's and grandchildren's sporting events and music concerts.When they didn't have a game, he was likely found cheering on the Jacks. Merle loved hunting and fishing, and although he didn't get his limit, he often scored the biggest catch of the day. When it came to cards, pinochle was his game. He always found a way to fit a game into holidays or family gatherings. Not always the most talkative one in the room, Merle cherished the company of friends and family. He enjoyed Saturday morning pancake breakfasts at the Legion Hall and could often be found waiting for a neighbor to stop by for a visit on the patio. Merle is survived by his wife Pat, children Richard (Linda) Thue, Roshal (Scott) Lamp, Rylene (Ned) Maher, Ronalie Thue, and Roger (Julie) Thue all of Brookings; grandchildren: Jamison Lamp (Brookings), Staci Lamp (Los Angeles, CA), Braden Thue and Jesse Thue (Brookings); one sister, Verna Mae (Phil) Smiley of Denver, CO; and brothers-in-law, Eugene Lommen and Dennis (Judy) Pederson; numerous special family and friends, including Jean Thue and Betty Barkve; and step-grandchildren and their kids: Chad, Maria, and Michael Julius; Christina, Mason and Tate Nelson; Amber and Ethan Purdy and Roger DeBates, Andrew Henderson, Emily Henderson, Nicholas Maher and Nathan Maher. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters; Joyce Lommen, Lou Ann Thue, and Marilyn Pederson; a brother, Dennis Thue; in-laws Gerald Petersen and Bev Thue; granddaughter Kateri Thue; and step-great-granddaughter, Anna Julius.