OBITUARY...
Was a victim of the june 9, 1972 flood

The 39th anniversary of the 1972 Rapid City flood recently passed, but the memories of those who survived the rampaging waters are still very vivid and sodden with pain. June 9-10 marked the 39th anniversary since the tragic event, which claimed the lives of 238 people.
For one survivor, her story is retold in a novel that takes its readers through her road of recovery after that fateful night.
“Come into the water: a survivor’s story,” by South Dakota native Merlyn Magner, was released a month ago. Magner is a survivor of the 1972 flood, which claimed the lives of her mom and dad, Bill Sr. and Norma Elizabeth Magner, and brother, Jeff. The book is published by the South Dakota State Historical Society.

As her brother began hoisting her and the family dog on to the roof, she was quickly swept away by the rapid currents.
The water swept her down the street. Magner said she could see her parents standing on the roof of the neighbor’s house. Her body slammed against a nearby condominium roof and she climbed to safety. After coughing up mud and water from her lungs, Magner clung to the roof, fearful the structure would crumble throughout the night.