William F. Mertens

William (Bill) Mertens was born on October 17th, 1953, to Cecil and Rosemary (Hamilton)

Mertens in Burbank California. He was the third of seven children. He graduated from Devils Lake Central High with the class of 1971 and went on to attend Lake Region State College and obtained a civil engineering certificate.

From early on, Bill spent countless hours helping his dad and uncles both at the dairy and on the farm. From packaging milk to combining wheat, you could always find Bill hard at work. Bill married Mavis Dammen in 1980 and was married to her for 42 years and helped raise her two daughters as his own. They were divorced in 2023.

He worked at the tax equalization office and later as a county commissioner. As a commissioner, Bill served on various committees and boards; the legislative committee, the Devils Lake outlet management advisory committee, the association of counties, just to name a few. He was always looking for ways to help improve his local community. Upon retirement, Bill took to driving a bus for the Devils Lake Public School System where students of all ages grew to love him as their driver.

Bill enjoyed all things hands-on. From constructing buildings to fixing anything with an engine, you could always count on him to help “get things going again”. He was an avid outdoorsman. His love for hunting and fishing stemmed from his father, Cecil, and was passed down to his grandson, Jared. He always enjoyed starting work early, so he could get out to the hunting grounds in the afternoon. Bill also loved watching his kids, grandkids, nieces & nephews compete in sports, most recently his niece Haden. You could find Bill at all of her events and he was eager to talk about it afterwords.

Bill is survived by his daughters Jennifer Bracken Devils Lake, ND; Katie Nadeau, Portland, TX, grandson Jared (Maggie) Nadeau, Lancaster, VA, granddaughters, Keli (Jason) Reardon, Richmond, VA (Great grandsons Cooper & Oliver), Shanae Bracken, Devils Lake, ND Emily (Joe Lewis) O'Donnell, Bottineau, ND (Great grandson James, Great granddaughter Lilly), sisters Ceya Holler also of Devils Lake, Kathy (Ron) Holler, Grand Forks, ND, Mary (Leland) Koenig, New Rockford, ND and Pattie (Allan) Wilcox, Highlands Ranch, CO and several nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his father Cecil, mother Rosemary, step-mother Carol Marthe Mertens, brother Michael Mertens, sister Susie Daugherty-Semmens and brothers-in-law Donald Daugherty, Roger Semmens and Don Holler.

William “Bill” Francis Mertens, 71 long time resident and former county commissioner passed away on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND.

There will be a gathering of family and friends on Monday, May 12, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, May 13th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Reverend Karmalraj Balasamy celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

Please join the family for fellowship following the graveside service at the KC Club, Devils Lake.