Alfred L. Merten

GARNER - Alfred L. Merten, 90, of Garner died Monday (July 16, 2007) at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M., Thursday at the United Methodist Church in Garner with Rev. David Wagner officiating. Burial will be in Concord Township Cemetery in Garner.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 P.M., Wednesday at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel with a Masonic service at 7:00 P.M. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Alfred Leland Merten, the son of Clarence and Lucy (Hesley) Merten was born January 30, 1917 on a farm near Monticello, MN. He attended rural school and Monticello High School. In 1935, he moved with his family to the Garner area. After the death of his father in 1936, he worked as a farm hand for two years, then farmed by himself for six years. Alfred attended Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls for four years and then returned to Garner where he continued to farm. Alfred worked for 17 years at the Klemme Co-op Grain Company, retiring in 1980. He enjoyed traveling, singing in the church choir and doing volunteer work.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church where he became a lay speaker in 1990. He also was a member of the Bethel Masonic Lodge in Garner, Scottish Rite and the Shrine.

He is survived by several nieces and nephews.

Alfred was preceded in death by his father, Clarence, November of 1936; his mother, October of 1974; and his adopted brother, Clyde Merten in 1974.