Merion Vanderham , 96, of Sioux City, Iowa, formerly of Elk Point, South Dakota and Akron, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at Westwood Specialty Care in Sioux City.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron, Iowa. Pastor Jesse Hailey will officiate. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Akron. Visitation with the family present will be from noon until service time on Saturday at the funeral home. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

Merion Mae Newman was born March 27, 1925 in Union County, South Dakota, the daughter of Slayton and Delma (Blackwell) Newman. She attended country school near Hawarden, Iowa and later graduated from Hawarden High School.

She was united in marriage to William "Bill" Vanderham on October 29, 1943 in Sioux City, Iowa while he was on leave from the service. Following his discharge, they made their home in Chatsworth, Iowa. They farmed in South Dakota and later in Iowa for over 20 years. She and Bill also owned and operated a bar and grill, "Little Nashville" in Chatsworth. In 1987, they moved to Sioux City. In 2013, they moved to Elk Point. Bill passed away November 9, 2015. In December of 2015, Merion became a resident of Westwood Specialty Care in Sioux City.

Merion loved country music and playing piano, keyboard, guitar, and harmonica. She and Bill attended several jamborees and enjoyed dancing. Yodeling was one of her favorite past times. She also enjoyed tending to her vegetable garden in the Spring and Summer.

Survivors include her two daughters: Sandy (Tim) Caskey and Debbie (Chuck) Veldhuizen, all of Sioux City, IA; a daughter in law, Paulette Vanderham of Alcester, SD; 11 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; two sisters: June Vandeberg of Orange City, IA and Donna Vermeer of Mountain Home, AR; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Slayton and Delma Newman; her husband, Bill Vanderham; three sons: Jerry Vanderham, Danny Vanderham, and Darold Vanderham; and her siblings: Earl, Agnes, Wayne, Carroll, and Joyce.