Ronald Mertens

Ron Mertens, 85, of Veblen, SD passed away at Tekakwitha Nursing Center, Sisseton, SD on July 29, 2025. Memorial service will be on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sisseton, SD at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Pat Schubert officiating. Visitation one hour prior to service with family present. Urn Bearers will be Kim Mertens, Phillip Mertens, Tucker Mertens, and Hank Hanson. Honorary Urn Bearers will be Ben MacConnell and Kody Mertens. Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD is in charge of arrangements. Ron Mertens was born June 18, 1940, at home in Ogema, MN to Hugo and Alice Mertens. He was the 13th of 15 children. He was baptized at the White Earth Church and attended country school. He married Theresa (JoAnn) Kunkel on February 21, 1961. There children: Kim, Sharon, Lisa, and Tammy. On December 10, 1983, he married Teresa Westley and had two beautiful children, Phillip and Emily. He moved to Sioux Falls in 1965 then to Valley Springs in 1970 and later moved to Veblen in 1986. Ron had many talents, he wrote several songs, made several wagons out of popsicle sticks, many wood projects for people, owned and ran a few businesses along with a few farms over the years. A fire in September 2024 took his house- but he was resilient, he was so happy when his guitar, bible and the last supper pictures were not damaged. He was always joking around. He loved taking trips to "the mall" (city dump) weekly, sometimes daily to find a treasure. That treasure may have been a coffee pot, lawn mower, vacuum, or a bike that he would fix up. He was often seen around town mowing someone's lawn. He always looked forward to attending the Presbyterian Church on Sundays. Ron is survived by his children: Kim (Betsy) Mertens, Lennox SD, Sharon (Matt) Wirth, Viborg SD, Lisa (Joe) Hjermstad, Brandon SD, Tammy (Sandy) Mertens-Jones, Sioux Falls SD, Phillip (Mindy) Mertens, Veblen SD, and Emily Hanson, Sisseton, SD; He was blessed with several grandchildren and great grandchildren; Sister Alice Pye, Franklin Tn, Mary Ann Teiken, Ogema MN, and Hugo (Carol) Mertens, Valley Springs SD. He is proceeded in death by his mom and dad, and several siblings.