Gerald P. Mertens

Gerald P. Mertens, 91 of Devils Lake ND passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at his home in the loving care of family. 

Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Joseph Littlefield celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery with lunch and fellowship to follow at the Parish Center. 

Gerald Paul Mertens, son of Mary (Van Steenvoort) and Henry Mertens Sr. was born on August 11, 1931 in Crary, North Dakota.  He grew up on the family farm, was educated in Crary and graduated from Crary High School. He participated in basketball in high school on a winning team.

Gerald worked on the farm until his marriage to his beloved Shirley Larson on November 14, 1953 in Devils Lake. They went out to California for about a year where Gerald worked construction with his brother Cecil. They returned to the Lake Region and would live, work and raise their family here through the many years.

Upon returning to the Devils Lake area, Gerald and 4 brothers and a sister established Lakeview Dairy. The family members worked side by side, each with their particular job and specialty operating a very successful dairy for many years. Gerald had to retire due to health problems, but the dairy continued on in the Mertens name after it was sold to a nephew. 

Operating a dairy is 7 days a week, 365 days a year job, but when Jerry had time off and in his retirement he enjoyed fishing.  He treasured time with family and friends. After 60 years of marriage, Jerry’s precious wife Shirley died on November 1, 2013.

Jerry was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and was a 4^th Degree Knight.  He also enjoyed membership in the Eagles and Elks Lodges. 

Jerry felt so blessed to have all of his children and many grandchildren so close to home.  So many memories made with family, relatives and dear friends.

Jerry’s loving family include his children Rebecca (Lanny) Duhamel, Ruth (Eric) Dewald, Paul Mertens and Betty Fornshell all of Devils Lake; eight grandchildren Jason (Kristina) Duhamel, Jerrad Duhamel, Breanne (Travis Sand) Duhamel; Lucas (Starr) Klemetsrud; Justin (Mary) Mertens, Shanene (Ryan) Stromme; Chelsy (Trevor) Klienashay, Nathan (Andrea Rutnik) Fornshell; 8 great grandchildren Jordan, Tristen, Sharla, Weston, Scarlett, Sophie, Andre, Beckham: 2 great great grandchildren Bexleigh and Onyx; brothers Charles (Janet) Mertens; sister Phyllis Lang; many nieces, nephews and their families.

He was welcomed home by his Lord, parents, wife Shirley, son David, grandson Kyle Klemetsrud, sons-in-law Kirk Klemetsrud and Ronald Fornshell; brothers Victor, Joe, Hank, Cecil, John, and Ernie, sisters Lucy Ziegler, Rosalie Lucken, Dorothy Kalinowski, Jeannette Weirick, Florence Del Guidice and Mary Evensen.