Alfred Leland MERTEN

MERTEN, HESLEY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/10/2010 at 18:44:54

The Garner Leader & Signal -- Iowa
July 25, 2007

Alfred L. Merten, 90, of Garner, died on Monday, July 16, 2007, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt. Funeral services were held on Thursday, July 19, at the United Methodist Church in Garner, with the Rev. David Wagner officiating. Music was provided by organist, Doreen Johnson who accompanied the church choir. Ushers were Marvin and Maynard Schoneman. Casket bearers were Ted Hovda, Jim Gatchel, Dr. Peter Vidal, Doug Suntken, Pete Gouge and Don Kammrad. Burial was in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Alfred Leland Merten, the son of Clarence and Lucy (Hesley) Merten was born on January 30, 1917, on a farm near Monticello, Minnesota. He attended rural school and the Monticello High School. In 1935, he moved with his family to the Garner area. After the death of his father in 1936, he worked as a farm hand for two years, then farmed by himself for six years. Alfred attended Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls for four years and then returned to Garner where he continued to farm. Alfred worked for 17 years at the Klemme Co-op Grain Company, retiring in 1980. He enjoyed traveling, singing in the church choir and doing volunteer work. He was a member of the United Methodist Church where he became a lay speaker in 1990. He was a longtime member of the Garner Masonic Lodge, Bethel Lodge No. 319, and a Scottish Rite Shriner.

He is survived by several nieces and nephews. Alfred was preceded in death by his father, Clarence in November of 1936; his mother, Lucy in October of 1974; and his adopted brother, Clyde Merten in 1974.