Ruth E. Mertens, 94, of Burlington, died at 1:15 PM Wednesday, November 11, 2015, at Bickford Cottage in Burlington.
Born November 7, 1921, in Houghton, IA, she was the daughter of Joseph J. and Nellie Freesmeier Denning. On December 28, 1944, she married Adrian H. Mertens in Houghton, IA. He died January 23, 1975.
Ruth worked for 30 years as a third grade teacher at the Middletown School.
She graduated from Ottumwa Heights College and Iowa Wesleyan College.
She was a member of SS. Mary and Patrick Catholic Church in West Burlington, Iowa State Teacher’s Association, and the Iowa Wildlife Federation. She volunteered for the Historical Society, Court House, Voter Registration, Friends of the Library, Burlington Welcome Center, and Great River Medical Center. She enjoyed needlepoint, taking pictures, playing the piano, traveling, spending time with her family and socializing with friends.
Survivors include her two sons, William J. (Becky) Mertens of Lake St. Louis, MO and Bob Mertens of Bonn, Germany; one daughter, Corinne “Corky” (Dave) Wolbert of Sperry; six grandchildren, Brian (Kim) Wolbert, Lucia (Steve) Francis, Andrew (Tiffany) Mertens, Elizabeth (Jim) Gill, Sarah Mertens, Kevin (Franka) Mertens; nine great-grandchildren, Samara, Jonathon, John, Elizabeth, Dylan, Kendall, Easton, Landon, Frederik; one brother, Jim Denning of Houghton, IA; two sisters, Phyllis Steffensmeier of Houghton, IA and Sr. Jane Denning of Milwaukee, WI.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Laverne Coffey, one brother Fr. Joseph Denning, and one Daughter-In-Law Bruni Mertens.
Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM with the family to receive friends 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM Sunday, November 15, 2015, at Prugh-Thielen Funeral Home.
The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection for Mrs. Mertens will be 10:00 AM Monday, November 16, 2015, at SS. Mary and Patrick Catholic Church, West Burlington with Rev. Father David G. Steinle as the Celebrant. Music will be provided by the Des Moines County Resurrection Choir. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery Houghton, IA. A time of food and fellowship will be held at the Knights of Columbus in Houghton following the burial.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Burlington Notre Dame School Library.
Prugh-Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Ruth’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
