Mercedes E. Sward, 85, of Dell Rapids passed away on Friday, October 5, 2012 at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls. Her Memorial Service will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids Chapel on Monday, October 8, 2012. A private family interment service will be at the Dell Rapids Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00p.m. on Sunday, October 7, 2012 at Kahler Funeral Home. To leave condolences please visit www.kahlerfh.com.

Mercedes Eylene Hagg was born on September 2, 1927 in Seattle, WA, the daughter of Hilding and Esther (Swanson) Hagg. At the age of one she moved with her family to Dell Rapids, SD. She grew up and attended school in Dell Rapids graduating as valedictorian in 1945. She attended Dakota State College and earned a first grade teaching certificate. She taught schools in Minnehaha, Brookings and Lake Counties. On June 12, 1948, Mercedes married Rudy Sward at the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids. The couple raised six children. Rudy passed away in 1978. Mercedes spent ten years caring for her mother and in 1992, she started doing respite care working as a caregiver.

Mercedes was a member of the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids and loved to give Bible studies. She enjoyed sewing and making quilts for her children and grandchildren and many friends. She loved to fish.

Mercedes is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two brothers and two sisters.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Roanne Sward of Waukesha, WI, Rochelle (David) Stout of DeSmet, Joy (Dennis) Hood of Dell Rapids, Jacalyn (Donald) Bunkers of Baltic, Trixy (Scott) Burgess of Sioux Falls and Ron Sward of Trent; her 11 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren and her sister, Gwen Hansen of Forest Lake, MN.