Joseph E. "Joe" Mertens, 89

Joseph Edward Mertens, the son of Henry and Theresa (Benken) Mertens, was born on May 20, 1930 in Bethune, Colorado. He passed away on June 22, 2019 at the Superior Good Samaritan Society at Superior, Nebraska at the age of 89 years, 1 month, 2 days.
Joe was one of 13 children. He was baptized on May 25, 1930 at St. Charles Borromeo Church, Stratton, Colorado, and confirmed on April 16, 1940 at Cunningham, Nebraska. He attended school through the 8th grade. He enlisted with the United States Army on October 23, 1951 and was honorably discharged on October 27, 1953 serving in the Korean War; earning the Korean Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation.
Returning from the service, he was engaged in farming. On October 22, 1960 he was united in marriage to Lila Mae Seefeld at St. Stephen's Catholic Church, rural Lawrence, Nebraska. This union was blessed with three children.
Joe farmed all his life in the Mt. Clare and Bostwick area. He was a member of the VFW, Nelson American Legion, Knights of Columbus Council in Superior and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Nelson, Nebraska.
He loved to fish and hunt coyotes, pheasant and deer. His passion was pitching horseshoes and was even inducted into the Horseshoe Hall of Fame. In his later years he passed his time supplying everyone with black walnuts.
Due to his heath, Joe was admitted to Superior Good Samaritan Society in May of 2014 where he resided until his death.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Herman, Bernard, James, Charles, and infant brother John; sisters, Clara Murray, Odella Stevenson, Theresa Ward, Mary Ann Martin, Agnes Daniel and Eleanor Hageman.
Survivors include his wife, Lila of Superior; three daughters Maria (David) Pitfield-Perry of Morgan, Minnesota, Betty (Kyle) Holen of Grand Island, Nebraska, and Mary (Rick) Albro of Ridgecrest, California; five grandchildren, Sydney (Richard) Lidstrom, Nick Hastreiter, Jessica Hastreiter, Trevor Holen, Meghan Albro; four great grandchildren, Reise Lundberg, Ember Lidstrom, Gabriel Nelson, and Thea Nelson; and one sister, Margaret Boon of Lawrence, Kansas; numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Superior, Nebraska, at 10 am Saturday, June 29, 2019. Rev. Bernard Kimminau will officiate.
Burial with Military Honors will be in Nelson Cemetery, Nelson, Nebraska.
Memorials may be made to in care of the family
Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday with the Rosary Recited at 7:30 at the Megrue-Price Funeral Home.
Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska, is in charge of arrangements.

Other Obituaries

Beloit, KS 67420, USA