Rapid City
Merlin Fauth
1935 — 2022
Merlin M. Fauth, 86, passed away on January 19, 2022 in Rapid City. Merlin was born on November 24, 1935 in Leola, SD to Ed and Erna Fauth. He grew up on the family farm outside of Leola with his sister, Shirley, and his parents. Merlin attended National School of Business in Rapid City, SD, where he met is lifelong partner, Shirley Haberstroh. They married on October 28th, 1956. Once he completed his studies, he began his career in the automotive industry. He began working at Frontier Ford in 1955. He worked as the controller until 1969, when he decided to venture into a partnership at Courtesy Lincoln Mercury. In 1972 the dealership was decimated by the 1972 flood. After the...