Donald Mertz Obituary

Don wanted his obituary to read: "Don died." But we didn't feel that such a terse message would adequately convey how we feel about him. Don was a loving father to Jon, a devoted husband to Kathryn, and a loving and supportive partner to Marjorie. He was kind and very funny, and we miss him.

Don was born on May 26, 1938, in Omaha, Nebraska. When he was 7, his family moved to Minneapolis. He graduated from Washburn High School and attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Don started working with Honeywell when he was still in college, and he remained there for his entire career after obtaining his degree in electrical engineering.

In 1963, Don met Kathryn Ann Clementson at a mutual friend's wedding, and the two were married in 1966. Don and Kathryn lived off and on in the Chicago area for 30 years. Their son, Jon, was born in 1967. During their time in Chicago, Don returned to school and got an MBA.

Don was transferred to the Netherlands for a year in 1983. He and his family returned to the U.S. for a year and then moved to Germany for three adventure-filled years before moving back to Minneapolis. Don retired in 1998. Jon died in 2001.

Don was passionate about motorcycles and music, particularly Bluegrass. He played French horn, trumpet, guitar, and banjo. He loved sailing, golf, skiing, and camping. In later years, Don and Kathryn wintered in California and spent the fall in Grand Marais. Don learned to fly and briefly owned a single-engine Cessna.

After Kathryn died in 2019, Don was fortunate to find love again with Marjorie Dahlager. Don and Marj spent seven wonderful years together, taking advantage of the numerous activities at Park Shore and traveling, going "up to the Lake," enjoying Sunday brunches with church friends, participating in book clubs, and savoring the region's cultural offerings.

Don was predeceased by his parents, Arther Mertz and Berniece Kaiser Mertz, and by his wife, his son and great nephew, Dylan. He is survived by Marj, his brother, Brian Mertz (Janet Geisman), and his niece Sara Mertz (Michael Brawner). He is also survived by brothers-in-law Jon Clementson (Julie) and Kevin Clementson (Martha), and by sister-in-law Karen Wingate. Special extended family members are Sarah Strom (Matt); Peggy Swanson (Matt); Amanda Anderson (Brandon); Emily Knochenmus (Owen); Owen Strom; Bjorn and Anders Swanson; Ava, Ella Anderson and Beth Clementson; Tom Nomeland (Rebecca); Peter, Henry, and Sydney Nomeland; Jill DuLac (Kirk); and Ellie and Brynn DuLac.

We will be celebrating Don's life on Monday, February 23, 2026, at Edina Community Lutheran Church (ECLC), with visitation at 10 a.m. and a service at 11 a.m., followed by lunch. Memorials are preferred to the Jon Clement Mertz Endowment for Melanoma Research at the University of Minnesota Foundation or to ECLC.