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Janice Mertens Obituary
September 29, 1959 -
November 29, 2015
Janice Mertens, 56, led a God-centered life and let Him direct her in all things.
Called home to be with the Lord on November 29th, she passed away in a car accident alongside her parents, Frank and Darlene Hooper, and her brother, Steve Hooper.
Beautiful inside and out, she stood unwavering in her love of family and friends. She had a generosity of spirit and a kindness of soul that inspired many people.
She grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado and briefly attended the University of Northern Colorado before going into the banking and mortgage lending business. Janice married the love-of-her life, Bill Mertens, on May 5, 1984, and shortly after the couple moved to Albuquerque where they have remained throughout their 31-year marriage. After her daughters were born, Janice became a full-time homemaker, and also taught fitness classes at a local gym.
She nurtured her strong faith in the Lord and encouraged others to follow that path with her. The couple were members of Calvary Chapel for over 25 years. Janice participated in the Women's Ministry and sang on the Worship Team.
As a wife and mother (her strongest callings), she adored her daughters Heather and Sarah. Janice stayed involved in all their school and extra-curricular activities, even serving as an assistant soccer coach and working to help coordinate the high school choir.
She loved all her family, and made traveling between Colorado and Arizona to connect both families a top priority. She reached out to each and every member, no matter how distant, to weave a stronger family fabric. She had close friends she considered family, a gift she had for bringing good people close and holding them there with her heart.
A dog lover, Janice became enamored with Bernese Mountain Dogs and the couple have owned three.
She is survived by husband Bill Mertens; daughters Heather Mertens and Sarah Mertens; sister Brenda MacKay (James); and many other family members, cousins, nieces and nephews who adored her.
The memorial service will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, December 18th, at Calvary Chapel, 4001 Osuna Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM, with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Samaritan's Purse, a Christian Relief Organization, www.samaritanspurse.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Janice Mertens
Tom & Robyn Grazda
December 18, 2015
Bill,
We were so shocked to learn of this tragic news. Robyn and I send our thoughts and prayers to you and your family in this trying time.
December 18, 2015
Bill, Sarah and Heather,
Paul and I were so deeply saddened to hear of Janice's passing. She was a beautiful woman and I know you miss her terribly. Thankfully, she knew her Lord and Savior and is now in His loving arms. Hold on to the memories and to family and good friends.
Blessings,
Paul and Betsy (Wilcox) Carroll
Sam Desai II
December 17, 2015
Janice was such a loving and amazing person. She will forever be missed and never forgotton .
December 16, 2015
My sincere condolences to Bill, Sarah and Heather. Janice was as beautiful inside as she was outside! She was a wonderful person! May she rest in peace.
Maria Cannizzaro
December 15, 2015
We were fortunate enough to be Janice & Bill's neighbors for five wonderful years. Janice was the first person I met just after buying our house. What a joy! Janice, Bill & the girls were the best neighbors ever and made it so difficult for us to move to Colorado. Bill, Julie and I share in your sadness and please know your family is in our thoughts and prayers daily. Stay strong my friend.
John & Julie Martiss
Lisa Soapes
December 15, 2015
To the Merten Family,
I was so saddened to hear about Janice. She was such a lively spirit and that will now live on forever. I will never forget her generosity and energy when we all were a part of Radio Disney! I know she will be missed. May all your memories surround you with happiness.
With Understanding Sympathy. Lisa Soapes
Craig and Irene Larimer
December 14, 2015
Bill,
We join in the shock, sadness and prayers of your Landis family in this dark time of tragedy. May you find the strength within and the love without to light your way.
Rebecca Dahl
December 14, 2015
Sometimes people touch your life more than they will ever realise. I'm very grateful I was fortunate enough to spend time with you all. The time I spent with Janice and your family was filled with beauty, laughter and love. It was so precious to me to see a family (and extended family) that were so close, living and breathing their love for each other in gratitude and faith.
There is no way to extinguish the twinkle from Janice's eyes or light in her laughter from my memory. Every day when I try to be my best self for my daughter and Darren I will remember Janice.
May you continue to find strength in each other, friends and family over coming months, and comfort in your memories.
Much love
Darrin Collins
December 14, 2015
Our prayers are with your family.Darrin and Preston.
Diane Huckabee-Harper
December 13, 2015
Janice a very kind loving person. I will always cherish the many years we worked together and became our own close extended work family!! I pray for Bill and the girls during this time of tremendous pain, hurt and missing a special mom, wife and friend
Jackie, Scott and Colin Wightman
December 13, 2015
Bill, Heather and Sarah,
May the care and love of those around you provide comfort and strength as you move forward. Please know that we are always available if there is anything we can do, just email. We are deeply saddened by this loss and we wish you peace.
Condolences,
December 13, 2015
Dear Bill and family,
We are deeply saddened with this news. What a terrible heart ache this must be for you! We enjoyed the time when we met Janice. She was a lovely woman. Our prayers are with you.
Debby and Jeff Fowler
Norb & Shari Schreiber
December 13, 2015
Dear Bill,
We are so sorry to hear of this tragic loss. We will continue to keep your family in our thoughts and prayers, asking that the Lord will draw near and give you comfort.
December 13, 2015
Dear Bill,
We are so sorry to hear about this tragic loss. We will continue to keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers, asking the Lord to draw near to you and give you comfort.
Norb and Shari Schreiber
Shari Schreiber
December 13, 2015
Dear Bill,
We are so sorry to hear about this tragic loss. We will continue to keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers, asking the Lord to draw near to you and give you comfort.
Norb and Shari Schreiber
suzanne burkle
December 13, 2015
Such a tragic loss. Thoughts and prayers to your family.
December 13, 2015
Bill,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I can't believe it and can not imagine the pain you must feel. My families thoughts and prayers are with you in this challenging time.
Kirk Hanes
Ken Osburn
December 13, 2015
Bill,
Our deepest sympathies for your tragic loss. Our thoughts are with you.
Ken Osburn & Anne Cosbey
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