John Howard Mertz, 84, passed away on September 7, 2008 at Walker Elder Suites, Edina, Minnesota after a long battle with Parkinson's disease and cancer.
Funeral services were Friday, September 12th at 1:30 p.m. from Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapel, Edina, with Pastor Don Portwood officiating. Graveside services were held at 4:00 p.m. at Calvary Cemetery, Deer Park, with Pastor Daniel Voth officiating. Military honors were provided by the Amery American Legion and music was sung by Lou and Kathy Williamson.
John Mertz was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Howard and Stella Mertz on September 26, 1923. He was the oldest of four children. John grew up and attended school in Sioux Falls and received a full scholarship to Augustana College for his football skills.
During World War II, John joined the Navy and was stationed on Maui, Hawaii, for almost 2 years.
On June 4, 1945 he married his high school sweetheart, Hazel Woolheater. After John was discharged from the navy in 1945, he went to work for Northern States Power Company as a groundman helping build electric lines. He was promoted from groundman to lineman to foreman to District Manager to General Manager at Amery then Brooklyn Center, White Bear Lake, Minnetonka, and finally Edina, Minnesota. He holds the record at Northern States Power as having been manager of the most divisions. He had a long and successful career and retired from NSP in 1986.
John enjoyed playing cards, cribbage, golf, tennis, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 44 years Hazel, brother Greg and sister Doris Yale.
He is survived by sons Doug (Connie), Dave (Carolyn) and daughter Diane (Scott) Peterson; seven grandchildren Kevin (Colene) Mertz, Kristofer Mertz, Kory Mertz, Michael Mertz, Katie (Eric) Tarasewicz, Jason and Kari Peterson; and two great-grandchildren - Olivia Troendle-Mertz and Joseph Tarasewicz. Also a sister Pat Thompson and partner of 17 years Margaret Ann Sprain, and her family as well as many nieces and nephews.
(Amery Free Press - Tuesday, September 16, 2009)
