Teresa L. Merchant

Teresa L. Merchant, 51, of South Sioux City passed away Sunday, August 5, 2012, at a Sioux City Hospital following a heroic battle with a lengthy illness. Services will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday, August 9, at the First Presbyterian Church in South Sioux City with the Rev. Stephen Niles officiating. Graveside services will be 2 P.M. Thursday at Fairview Cemetery in Albaton, Iowa. Visitation will be from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. Wednesday, August 8, at Becker – Hunt Funeral Home in South Sioux City. Teresa was born July 24, 1961, in Madison, Wisconsin, the daughter of Neil R. and Elaine M. (Collison) Koeppen. She graduated from South Sioux City High School in 1979. She married Ron A. Merchant on July 28, 1979, in Sioux City, Iowa. Teresa was employed at Regency Square Care Center in South Sioux City for twenty-seven years. During her career, Teresa was a nurse’s aide, a medical-technician, and retired from Medical Records in 2010 due to her health. She cherished the many friendships she made with her co-workers, residents, and resident’s families throughout her time at the facility. Teresa enjoyed reading, traveling (especially to the Sturgis Mustang Rally), her numerous “short trips” to local businesses in town, and the many spontaneous family get-togethers. More recently, Teresa loved spending time with her granddaughter Hannah. Many have been touched by Teresa during the short time we had with her; whether it was with her kind words of wisdom, her numerous acts of selflessness, or her unique way of conveying an important message. Teresa’s strength, courage, and conviction will continue on with her family and friends. Survivors include her husband, Ron; two daughters: Mindy Merchant of West Fargo, North Dakota, and Christina Merchant of South Sioux City; her mother, Elaine Koeppen of South Sioux City; a brother, Russell Koeppen of South Sioux City; a granddaughter, Hannah Louise Merchant-Keegan of South Sioux City; her mother-in-law, Ernestine Merchant of South Sioux City; brothers-in-law, Rick Merchant of Sioux Falls, SD., Charles Merchant, Jr. and his wife Nancy, and Randy Merchant, Sr. and his wife Patricia all of Sioux City; Two nieces: Lisa Ali and her husband Mohammed of Ames, IA, and Stacy Vogt and her husband Chris of Sioux City; one nephew, Randy Merchant, Jr. and Angie of Sgt. Bluff, IA; along with numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Teresa was preceded in death by her father Neil Koeppen and father-in-law Charles Merchant, Sr. Pallbearers will be Russell Koeppen, Chuck Merchant, Jr., Randy Merchant, Sr., Rick Merchant, Randy Merchant, Jr. and Chris Vogt. Honorary pallbearers will be the staff and residents of Regency Square Care Center.