Full Obituary

     FRANCIS R. "FRANK" MERTENS, JR., age 53, of Dickinson, ND, formerly
of Thorp, WI, passed away on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at Sacred Heart
Hospital in Eau Claire with his family by his side. Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Friday, February 24, 2017 at St. Bernard - St. Hedwig's Catholic Church, in Thorp. Rev.
Janusz Kowalski will celebrate Mass and burial will follow in St. Bernard's
Catholic Cemetery, in Thorp. Military rites will be conducted by the Thorp
American Legion Post #118. Visitation will be held at Thorp Funeral Home on
Thursday, February 23, 2017 from 4pm to 8pm, with a 7:30pm rosary service, and
again on Friday, at the church, from 9:30am until time of service.
Francis Roy Mertens, Jr. was born on October 9, 1963 in Stanley, WI, to
Francis and Helen (Howe) Mertens, Sr. He was raised on the family farm and
received his education in Thorp. Frank enlisted early into the U.S. Army at the age
of 17, in the summer of 1981, officially graduating from Thorp High School in
1982. Upon completion of basic training, Frank was selected into the 82nd
Airborne, an airborne division in the U.S. Army. After his honorable discharge, he
returned to Thorp and worked on the family farm. He was united in marriage to
Pamela J. Lang on March 25, 1989 at St. Bernard - St. Hedwig's Catholic Church.
They later divorced. Frank worked as a farmer most of his life. After the family
farm was sold in the late 1990's, he held various jobs until becoming employed
with Menard's, where he worked until the time of his death.
He had many interests and enjoyed hunting, the Packers, and was a Matt
Kenseth fan. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and family.
Frank is survived by his children: Tracey (Kevin) Kaszubowski of Thorp,
Travis (Jenelle) Mertens of Eau Claire, Tyler Mertens of Eau Claire, Kayla Nitz of
Thorp; six grandchildren: Triton, Trevin and Tate Kaszubowski, Owen and
Everlee Mertens, and Joselyn Triebs; one sister: Becky Noble of Bruce, WI; four
brothers: Mark Mertens of Withee, WI, Doug Mertens of Wisconsin, Joe (Joann)
Mertens of Stetsonville, WI, Todd Mertens of South Dakota; nieces, nephews,
other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Frank's family would be greatly appreciated.