Evelyn L. Mertens

MERTENS, Evelyn L. (Kieffer) Evelyn L. (Kieffer) Mertens, 99, of La Crosse, and formerly of Wisconsin Rapids died peacefully at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center La Crosse, Wis., on Aug. 31, 2009. Evelyn Lucille Kieffer was born June 8, 1910, to John B. and Anna B. (Tetzlaff) Kieffer in Wausau, Wis. On Oct. 1, 1929, she was united in Holy Matrimony to William Mertens at St. Mary's Catholic Church; Wausau, Wis. Leo preceded her in death on July 16, 1969. Evelyn is survived by one son; William of Wisconsin Rapids, one daughter; Patricia Mertens of La Crosse, Wis. one granddaughter; Mary Pat Mertens ( (Barry Altman) of Wisconsin Rapids, one great grandson; Korie Williams of Mukwonago, Wis. She is further survived by one brother; Gordon (Florence) Kieffer of Wausau, Wis. Other survivors include brother-in-law John (Mary Ann) Mertens of Antigo, Wis., sister-in-law; Marie Mertens of Antigo, Wis., and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great nieces and great grand nephews. Evelyn is also survived by special friends Norene A. Smith and Jean L. Foss. In addition to her husband, and parents, Evelyn was preceded in death by a brother, John B. Kieffer, two sisters; Gertrude Zulawnik and Dorothy Rohling, a daughter-in-law; Patricia, and great grandson; David William "Billy". Other family members who preceded her include brothers-in-law Steve Zulawnik and Harvey Rohling, Marcellus , Archie, Raymond and James Mertens and George Nielsen, sisters-in-law, Sister M. Concepta Mertens (Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity), Lucy Nielsen, Dorothy Mertens and Joyce Kieffer. During Evelyn's early years in Wisconsin Rapids, she was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Parish and was actively involved in the Parish Council of Catholic Women and the Catholic Daughters of America. Evelyn was employed with the Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools Nutrition Program for fifteen years. While in La Crosse, she was a member of Mary, Mother of the Church Parish. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, Wis. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 AM Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, in St. Michael's Catholic Church, 1315 6th St. No. Wausau, Wis. Rev. William Grevatch will officiate and Rev. Joseph Rafacz will concelebrate with burial to be held in Rest Lawn Cemetery, Wausau, Wis. Friends and family may call from 10:00 AM until the time of Mass in St. Michaels' Catholic Church on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, Evelyn's family requests memorials be directed to Mary, Mother of the Church Parish 2006 Weston St., La Crosse, Wis., 54601, Saints Peter and Paul Parish, 1150 2nd St. No., Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., 54494 or to the Patricia A. Mertens Scholarship Fund, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Foundation Inc., 1725 State St., La Crosse, Wis., 54601. The Blaschke & Schneider Funeral homes, La Crosse, Wis. and the Peterson Kraemer Funeral Homes, Wausau, Wis. are assisting the family with arrangements.