Lola Mertens

Lola Mertens, 85, of Brandon, passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 1, 2019 at Pleasant Park Place in Ripon.

Lola was born April 30, 1933, the only child of Esther and Harlem Nest. Lola belonged to Emanuel Lutheran Church in Brandon all her life. She sang in the choir for 50+ years and was the organist for 40+ years. On December 26, 1953 she married Donald “Buck” Mertens.

They were together for 65 years and had three children: Jeffry Mertens, Dustin Mertens, and Gay Nell VandeBerg. Lola attended Oshkosh College for teaching. She taught three years and then became a stay at home mom. Later she worked at at Ripon Foods. Her last
position was as a production scheduler and she retired in 1990.  She had eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Lola was preceded in death by her parents; grandma; all aunts, uncles, and cousins; and two little shih Tzu dogs she loved dearly.

She will be sorrowfully missed by all friends and relatives, especially her husband, Buck.

Funeral services for Lola Mertens will be held Friday, January 4, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Brandon with Rev. Bob Rosenberg officiating. Burial will follow at Wedges Prairie Cemetery in Town of Waupun. Friends and relatives may call on the family
on Thursday at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Brandon from 4-6 p.m. and on Friday at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service.

A special thank you to the Markesan Resident Home and Pleasant Park Place in Ripon for the wonderful care given to Lola.

Werner-Harmsen Funeral Home of Waupun and staff are serving the family.  Please visit our website at

www.wernerharmsenfuneralhome.com for further information and to send condolences.