Merrill Jerome Elk Obituary (1977

Merrill Jerome Elk, 38, Fort Yates, North Dakota, passed away Friday, May 27, 2016, at IHS Hospital, Fort Yates. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, June 3, 2016, at Standing Rock Community High School Gymnasium, Fort Yates with Brother George Maufort officiating. A Wake Service begins at 5:00 PM, Thursday, June 2, 2016, with a Rosary Service beginning at 7:00 PM, also in the Standing Rock Community High School gym. Burial will be in St. Elizabeth's Catholic Cemetery, Cannon Ball. Merrill was born August 23, 1977, in Bismarck, to Herman and Betty Ann (Thunder Hawk) Elk. He attended elementary school in Fort Yates, Standing Rock, Solen, and Bismarck. He graduated from Fort Yates District School in 1997, where he was active in basketball, football, and wrestling. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, but especially softball. Merrill worked at Prairie Knights Casino and Kiddie College Daycare, and was currently employed with Standing Rock Community Schools. Merrill loved his kids. He also enjoyed spending time with his nephews and nieces. If he wasn't fishing or hunting, he was either practicing or playing softball or breaking bats. His personality was one-of-a-kind. He was always joking and teasing around. If you didn't have a nickname or Indian name, he would give you one that was from a very funny story or memory you had made with him. In one way or another, Merrill made an impact on everyone he met. He is survived by his father, Herman Elk; two daughters, Scarlett R. Goodhouse and Santee C. Elk; one son, DeAndre J. Elk; three sisters, Corinne (Ken) Alkire, Brenda Cordova, and Sherry Elk (Tom DuBray); four brothers, Robert (Arlene) Cordova, Ernest Elk (Shyanne Bernie); Avery White Lightning (Noel Smalley), and Mitchell Elk; numerous nieces, nephews, special friends, and special companion, Jessica Kling.