John C. Mertesdorf

John Clement Mertesdorf, age 78, of Good Thunder, died Friday, December 2, 2016, at Mankato Clinic Health System - Mankato, surrounded by those whom he loved so much and will miss him terribly.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 10, 2016, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Vernon Center, with Rev. Monte Meyer officiating.  Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. on Friday at Mankato Mortuary, and continues one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be in Vernon Center Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church or Acres for Omega.

John was born January 29, 1938, in Mankato.  He was the son of Clement and Marcella (Johnson) Mertesdorf.  John was a 1956 graduate of Garden City High School and attended the University of Minnesota Agriculture Program.  He was a life-long farmer in Vernon Center Township.

John was united in marriage to Barbara Matzke on January 29, 1960, in Rapidan.  They were blessed with three children, David, Darla, and Dawn.  Barbara died in November of 1996.  John later married Mary Putrah on December 26, 1998, in Vernon Center.  John was a lifetime member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Vernon Center, where he was baptized, confirmed in his faith, and served on the finance board and as an Elder.  He was also a member of the Southern Valley Co-op Board, Pork Producers, and Acres for Omega.  John enjoyed country dancing, golfing, traveling, their cabin on Lake Washington, and time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.  His sense of humor, sly little smile, and love of entertaining others will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

John is survived by his wife, Mary Mertesdorf of Good Thunder; three children, David Mertesdorf of Minneapolis, Darla (Todd) Zuehlke of International Falls, and Dawn (Kal) Schmidt of Waterville; three step-children, Angela (Kevin) Effertz of New Richmond, WI, Kimberly (Dan) Scicluna of Canton, MI, and Adam (Lisa) Putrah of Mankato; twelve grandchildren, Johnathon and Jada Zuehlke, Kaleb and Kaden Schmidt, Cole, Ashley, Drew, and Luke Effertz, Tess and Sabrina Scicluna, and Nathan and Matthew Putrah; sister, Jane Mertesdorf of Cedar Falls, IA; brother, Tom (Patty) Mertesdorf of North Mankato; uncle and aunt, John and Caroline Buckley of Redwood Falls; parents-in-law, Kelly and Dorothy Gage of Mankato; also nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Barbara.