SHIRLEY I. MERTENS

Shirley I. Mertens, of Devils Lake, ND passed away early Friday morning, November 1, 2013 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake with family at her side. She was 77. Funeral Services for Shirley will be held at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake on Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Jeff Nicle will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held at St. Olaf Lutheran Church on Wednesday beginning at 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Shirley’s Grandchildren will serve as Casket Bearers. Music will be provided by Jeff Nicla and Lynda Pearson. Shirley Ione, daughter of Lars and Ida (Overbo) Larson was born on November 7, 1935 at Devils Lake, ND. She grew up on a farm, northeast of Starkweather, ND and attended Starkweather Public School. While in high school, the family moved to Devils Lake and Shirley graduated from Devils Lake Central High School with the class of 1953. Shirley was united in marriage to Gerald Mertens on November 14, 1953 at Devils Lake. They made Devils Lake their home most of their lives, spending one year in their early married life in California. She was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and the WELCA. Shirley had her “hands full” as a full time farmer’s wife and mother of five. She always considered that the most precious job she could have. She did work for many years at Manns Department Store in the fabric department. That seemed a very good match as Shirley was a very talented seamstress and sewed many articles of clothing for herself and her family. She also worked as a Secretary for the S&L Store for a few years. In her younger years, Shirley discovered a special talent as an artist and in free hand drawings. Her love of reading can be measured by all of the books in her home and every shopping trip included a stop at a book store. All of her days were filled keeping up with the activities of her grandchildren. Shirley is survived by her dear family. Her husband of almost 60 years, Gerald; their four children and their spouses Rebecca and Lanny Duhamel, Ruth and Eric Dewald, Paul Mertens and Betty Fornshell all of Devils Lake; eight grandchildren Jason Duhamel, Jerrad Duhamel, Breanne (Travis Sand) Duhamel; Lucas (Starr) Klemetsrud; Justin (Mary) Mertens, Shanene (Ryan) Stromme; Chelsy Fornshell and Nathan Fornshell; six great grandchildren Jordan, Beckham, Tristen, Sharla, Weston and Scarlett; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law Charles and Janet Mertens, Devils Lake and Phyllis Lang of California; several nieces and nephews. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; son, David Mertens; grandson, Kyle Klemetsrud; sons-in-law, Kirk Klemetsrud and Ron Fornshell and sister, Lila Moe.