Full Obituary

     Mary Ann Frieda (Kapfer) Mertens of Thorp, WI, died on Sunday, October 23, 2022, at the home of her daughter surrounded by Mary Ann's children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  
     She was born on July 31, 1935, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of the late Erich and Mary (Stafen) Kapfer.  Her Catholic faith was planted when she was baptized at St. Philomena Church on Kedvale Ave in Chicago, IL. In 1946 her parents decided to move to a small farm they purchased south of Thorp, WI on Cty M.  Her parents and Mary Ann did not know a thing about farming. They learned by trial and error plus the support of good neighbors. She loved her extended family and friends in Chicago, and it took awhile for a city kid to adjust to country living.  She attended school in Greenwood, WI and graduated in May 1954.
     Her plans for moving back to Chicago changed when she decided to get married to the handsome Bernard (Barney) Mertens a young farmer from Thorp on September 4, 1954. They raised 10 children on the farm.  In addition to being a homemaker, Mary Ann also worked as a clerk at ITT Life in Thorp, a beautician at the Hairbenders in Thorp, and as C.N.A. at the Clark County Health Care Center in Owen.  In 2014 they moved off the farm to Thorp for a short period of time.  When Bernard died in 2016 Mary Ann decided to move to Neenah, WI where she lived until her death.
     She had many interests, but especially enjoyed quilting, card playing, camping, fishing, birdwatching, gardening and canning.
     Mary Ann was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church and its Parish Council of Catholic Women.
     She is survived by her children, Bernardine (Wayne) Nitz of Neenah, Barbara (William) Sladich of Greenwood, Susan (Dennis) Murphy of Thorp, Tom (Theresa) Mertens of Lake Hallie, Paul (Ann) Mertens of Thorp, Louise Noah of Thorp, Richard (Lisa) Mertens of Appleton, Ann (Dan) Olejniczak of Cadott, and James (Kimberly) Mertens of Thorp, 22 grandchildren, 28 Great-grandchildren and two sisters Pauline (David) Haas of Thorp, Erika (Darwin) Mason of Stanley, and one sister-in-law Rosalie Mertens of Thorp and numerous nieces and nephews.
     Mary Ann is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Barney; her son, Bernard “Binky”, one brother, Erich Kapfer, Jr. and her son-in-law, Tom Noah
     A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am at St. Bernard - St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Thorp on Saturday, November 12, 2022. Inurnment will follow in St. Bernard's Catholic Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Friday, at the church, from 5pm to 8pm, with a 7:30pm rosary service, and again on Saturday from 9:30am until time of service.
     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: Thorp Catholic School, 411 E. School Street, Thorp, WI  54771.