Dorothy Meyer

Dorothy Meyer, 92, of Wilmot, SD, passed away on Monday, April 27, 2026, at Wilmot Care Center in Wilmot.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wilmot, SD. Visitation will be held Friday, May 1, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and will close with a prayer and rosary service at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Fr. Tom Hartman will celebrate the Mass, and interment will be at Wilmot City Cemetery in Wilmot. 

Dorothy Mae (Murphy) Meyer was born on December 10, 1933, in Elrod, SD, to Frank and Gertrude (Becking) Murphy. She was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic faith. The family moved to Waubay where Dorothy and her siblings attended country school. The family later settled on a farm northeast of Ortley, SD, and Dorothy attended school in Summit, graduating with the Class of 1951.

She attended Northern State University and began her career in education. She started teaching in rural schools before continuing her work in Corona, SD, and Browns Valley, MN. Her dedication to children and learning was evident throughout her life.

On July 21, 1962, Dorothy was united in marriage with Elmer Meyer. Following their marriage, the couple made their home on a farm near Wilmot, SD. They were blessed with six children. After Elmer’s passing in 1975, Dorothy devoted herself to raising their children on her own with strength, determination, and a lot of faith.

In addition to caring for her family, Dorothy worked as an aide in the Wilmot Public School and served as a bookkeeper for the Wilmot Care Center. She also worked for Osterloh Oil in Wilmot. She was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wilmot, where she was actively involved in church activities, including teaching religious education for many years. Dorothy was also a member of the Legion Auxiliary.

Dorothy had a deep love for her family, especially her children, their spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also had a special place in her heart for all children. Dorothy enjoyed reading and spent many years helping at the Wilmot Public Library, filling in whenever help was needed.

She will be remembered for her strong faith, her dedication to family, and her lifelong commitment to caring for others.

Dorothy is survived by her beloved children: Dan (Louise) Meyer of Wilmot, SD; Ann (Dave) Gapp of Twin Brooks, SD; Deb (David) Pauley of Sioux Falls, SD; Ed (Gayle) Meyer of Trent, SD; Lisa (Gary) Elsinger of Brookings, SD; and Sheila (Kevin) Schimmel of Webster, SD; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren, with one on the way; sister, Maureen Rysso of Williamsburg, MI; along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer; her parents: Frank and Gertrude; siblings: Sr. Patricia Murphy, Colette (Larry) Weyh, Robert (Lou) Murphy, and Francis (Marlene) Murphy; brother-in-law, Ron Rysso; and one great grandchild, Joseph Getty.