Keith Allen Mertens, 68, Chippewa Falls, died on Thursday, April 8, 1999 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, April 11, 1999, 2:30 p.m., at the Maurina Funeral Home in Owen, with Reverend Linda Shearer officiating. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery, Withee. Pallbearers were: Gary Beck, David Beck, Jeff Nourse, Mark Catura, Bill Catura, and Bruce Neuman. Visitation was on Saturday, April 10, 1999 at the Maurina Funeral Home, Owen from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Keith Mertens was born on September 28, 1930, in Withee, the son of Nick and Veda (Looker) Mertens. His early education was in the one room French Town School in the Town of Hixon and he attended Withee High School. He served his country in the U.S. Army Medical Corp. during the Korean Occupation. With his honorable discharge, he returned to work at the Martin Ryona Body Shop in Withee for many years until opening his own Keith's Body Shop until 1975. He later purchased Keith's Place, a tavern in Boyd and in 1980 was employed with the Chippewa Northern Colony Center until his retirement.

Keith and Eileen Thorson were married and they later divorced. On July 14, 1984, Keith and the former Jeanean Langert were united in marriage in Chippewa Falls. Keith will be remembered for his perfected work at his body shop and the pride he took in a job well done. He was an avid Arctic Cat Snowmobiler and was a member of the Owen-Withee Sno-Hawks. He and Jean loved to camp and enjoyed the outdoors. He also was a member of the Eagles Club in Hallie.
Keith will be sadly missed by his family: Wife Jeanean Mertens of Chippewa Falls one son Kevin Mertens of Cottage Gove, MN one daughter Cheryl Sanger of Chino Hills, CA two step-sons: Darrell (Carol) Severson of St. Paul, MN, Garry Severson of Madison one step-daughter Sherry (John Dacher) Severson of Strum two sisters: Inez (Bob) Campbell of Chandler, AZ, Nona (Bruce) Neuman of Minneapolis, MN, 3 Grandchildren and 6 Step-Grandchildren and his brother-in-law Bill Catura of Owen. He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 sister Phyllis Catura August 14, 1998 and brother-in-law Bill Nourse.

Source: Thorp Courier (Clark County) April 14, 1999