Louis Charles Mertz

LOUIS CHARLES “Lou” MERTZ August 7, 1927 – May 9, 2018    Louis Charles “Lou” Mertz, age 90, a long time Osage, MN area resident, peacefully slipped into eternity on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 surrounded by his loved ones at the home of his long time soulmate, Sharrie Noble, on beautiful Straight Lake north of Osage.    Lou was born on August 7, 1927 in Heisler, Alberta, Canada to Julius and Catherine (Schroeder) Mertz. At l day of age, he moved with his family to Rochester, MN. It was there that he attended public school and grew into manhood. In 1943, during his junior year of high school, Lou lied about his age and enlisted in the United States Navy where he served in the Pacific Theatre of WWII. After the war was won, and Lou received his honorable discharge, he returned to Lourdes High School in Rochester where he earned his diploma, graduating with the Class of 1946. He then went on to attend Rochester Jr. College for two years. On September 10, 1949, Lou was united in marriage to Dolores “Della” Mertz in Watertown, SD. This union was blessed with three children: Steve, Debbie and Lou II. In the early 1950’s, Lou began working as a salesman for the Western Union Company in a career that spanned over 28 years. He and Della were able to take early retirement, moving to a lake home on Straight Lake near Osage in 1993. Lou loved the outdoors. He enjoyed playing the area golf courses whenever time allowed. He was an avid hunter and especially looked forward to deer hunting when his family set up their annual deer camp off the Anchor-Mattson road near Itasca State Park. He was a long time member of St. Peter The Apostle Catholic Church, the Osage Lions and the Osage Sportsman’s Club. Above all, Lou devoted his life to his family who he loved with all his heart.     He will be lovingly remembered by his three children: Steven (Sandra) Mertz of Bloomington, MN, Deborah (James) Witzman and Lou II (Pam) Mertz all of Elk River, MN; 6 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; his longtime soulmate, Sharrie Noble of Osage and her three children and 6 grandchildren who were all very special to him, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.    Lou was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores “Della” who died in 2002; two grandsons: Scott also in 2002 and Jeremy who died in 2007.    Funeral services will be held 11 AM Tuesday, May 15th, 2018 at the St. Peter The Apostle Catholic Church, Park Rapids, MN with Father Thomas Friedl officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-8 PM Monday May 14th, 2018 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home, Park Rapids, MN and will continue beginning one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be in the Riverside Cemetery, Osage, MN.    To leave online condolences or to view the video please visit www.jonespearson.com