Loretta M. Merrill, 80, Sioux Falls, S.D., died Nov. 5, 2005, at Good Samaritan Luther Manor in Sioux Falls. Services are at 1:30 p.m. today at First Baptist Church in Sioux Falls. Loretta Braese was born April 21, 1925, in Madison, S.D. to George and Alma (Raschdorf) Braese. After graduating from high school in Madison, she attended the University of Sioux Falls and received her teaching degree. Her first teaching position was in 1949 at Montrose, S.D.She married James Merrill on Dec. 14, 1951. After being a homemaker for several years, she returned to her teaching career in 1964 at Garretson, S.D. A year later she began teaching in Hills-Beaver Creek and taught until her retirement in 1990.Mrs. Merrill enjoyed music and was involved with the Messiah Christmas production. She was a member of First Baptist Church, El Riad Shrine Auxiliary, SDEA, Eastern Star, and was a past member of the University of Sioux Falls Alumni Board.Survivors include two sons, James Merrill II, Randallstown, N.D., and Allen (Deb) Merrill, Sioux Falls; one daughter, Barbara (Randy) Webb, La Vista, Neb., three grandchildren, James (Stacy) McNeely, Owatonna, Randy Webb Jr., Ames, Iowa, and Katie Webb, Omaha, Neb.Mrs. Merrill was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one daughter, Lynda Merrill.Miller Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, was in charge of arrangements.