Donald Mertens

Donald “Buck” Mertens, age 96, left his earthly home on August 6, 2026, to be with his heavenly Father.

He was born in Leroy, WI on June 24, 1930, the son of Leo F. and Della E. (Krause) Mertens. Donald attended Johnsburg Parochial School, Byron Elementary, and Clark School in Lamartine, WI. In 1949 he graduated from Brandon High School. After graduation he was employed with AO Smith Corporation until entering the U.S. Marine Corps. Buck served as a corporal with the 1st Marine Division from 1951-1953 during the Korean War. After serving his country, he married Lola R. Nest on December 26, 1953, in Woodhull, WI. They continued to build their lives in the Brandon area, raising three children: Jeffry H. Mertens, Dustan R. Mertens, and Gay Nell (Rick) Vande Berg. Donald had 8 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Donald became a Correctional Officer and was later promoted to Sergeant, working at Waupun Correctional Institution, "The Walls," from 1953-1985. The later years before retiring from WCI he ran the prison state farm east of Waupun. During those years he was also a police officer in Brandon, WI and a Fond du Lac County deputy sheriff. After retiring from WCI, he was a camp patrol officer at the Baptist Assembly in Green Lake, WI. He was a member of St. Catherine's of Siena Parish in Ripon, Waupun American Legion Post 210, the NRA, and served on the Wedges Prairie Cemetery Board.

In 1992 Buck and Lola left their Brandon home to build a new home on Lola's fifth-generation family homestead. He enjoyed living the country life again and preserving the family legacy.

Buck's favorite pastimes were spending time at the cabin in Phillips, WI, hunting, canoeing, and hiking in the woods. He had a love for animals. Special to his heart were his Springer Spaniels (Chibby, Hubbie, Charlie, and Mitzi), and he later learned to love little "foo foo" dogs (Granny, Missy Molly, Muffin, Ginger, and Noodles). His goats (Molly and Dewey) gave him many laughs and Rescuing baby animals left behind by their mamas brought him great joy.

On January 1, 2019, he said goodbye to Lola after 66 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Franklyn, Robert, Ruth (Gillett), Kenneth, and Nadine (Zietlow); his parents-in-law, Harlan and Esther (Hollander) Nest; and two great-grandchildren, Dakota “Cody” John Mertens and Preston John Mertens.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to his friends and neighbors for the many ways they helped make it possible for him to stay on the family farm until his Lord called him home, along with stopping by to visit. Words don't seem like enough, but we are truly grateful to all of you.

Visitation for Buck will take place on Friday, August 14, 2026 at Werner Harmsen Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m.. Burial will take place at Wedges Prairie Cemetery in Waupun.