Ronald William Mertes

Ronald W. Mertes, 87, Barnesville, MN, passed away on Thursday, June 11, 2026, surrounded by his family, at Sanford Hospital, Fargo, ND. A memorial service to honor his life will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Assumption Catholic Church, Barnesville, MN. Public visitation will be held from 10-11 am and the service will start at 11, presided over by Fr. Todd Arends.

Ronald William Mertes, also known as ‘Ron’, ‘Ronaldo’, and ‘The Legend’, was born on September 2, 1938, to Jacob and Leona (Homan) Mertes in Breckenridge, MN. He grew up in Mantador, ND, and attended high school in Hankinson, ND. Upon graduation, he joined the Air Force, where he served for six years before being honorably discharged. He then moved to Baker, MN, where he met his wife, Sandra ‘Sandy’ Marle Mertes (Klein). They married on October 5, 1974, raised two sons, David Klein and Daniel Mertes, and enjoyed 51 years of marriage.

Ron was full of life and had the uncanny ability to light up any room he walked into. If he failed to regale you with a lifetime full of stories, he was able to capture anyone's attention with his wit and enthusiasm to have any type of conversation. He was a devout Catholic who donated much of his time mowing lawn at the cemetery and serving with the Knights of Columbus at fundraising events. He also loved tending his garden and feeding the birds. When he was unable to do so, he enlisted his sons to make sure no bird went hungry in his absence.

Ron was a hardworking, moral, and purpose-driven man. He served our country, his community, and his local wildlife critters.

But Ron’s greatest legacy was his family. He loved his wife and two sons. His proudest accomplishment was his grandson, Jacob (Jake) Mertes. Those two were partners in crime from the moment Jake was born. Whether they drove around on the lawn mower, shot BB guns, or Ron just threw the harness designed for David’s St. Bernard ‘Meat’ over his shoulder to pull Jake around on a sled, they were always together. In fact, that is where he got his name, ‘The Legend.’ He was so involved in his sons’ and grandson’s lives that their friends affectionately continued calling him that nickname over multiple generations.

Ron will be deeply missed. Above all, his family and friends will miss his sense of humor. He was sassy and quick-tongued, but he was also kind, fair, and always willing to lend a helping hand, either physically or through compassionate advice.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Leona Mertes; his twin brother, Donald (Ann) Mertes; his sister, Rosemary Mertes; his brother-in-law, Don Fugere; and his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Mertes.

Ron is survived by his wife, Sandy Mertes; his sisters Donna Fugere, Pat (Charlie) Orn, Rita Mertes, and Jeri Bean (Gordy Campbell); his brother, James Mertes Sr.; his sons, David Klein and Daniel Mertes; his grandson, Jacob Mertes (Kailey Boman); his great-grandson, Miller Mertes; and his trusty dog, Chloe, who went everywhere with him.