Eugene Mertesdorf

Eugene Mertesdorf, age 74, of Litchfield died on Thursday, December 03, 2009 at the Dassel Lakeside Community Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 7, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Church of St. Philip in Litchfield. Visitation will be held on Monday from 9:30 AM until time of service at the church. Interment will be in Lake Ripley Cemetery in Litchfield. Eugene Anthony Mertesdorf the son of Gerhard and Veronica (Rieff) Mertesdorf was born on February 17, 1935 in Mankato, Minnesota. He grew up and received his education in the Nicollet area, graduating from Nicollet High School in 1955. Following graduation he helped farm with his dad and drove truck for a while. In 1965, he moved to Litchfield and worked at Litchfield Machine and later at Custom Products. Eugene was united in marriage to Everill Caauwe on October 14, 1967, at the Church of St. Philip. They continued to make Litchfield their home where he worked for Nelson Buick and later for Palm Industries where he was known as “Big Blue”. Eugene was an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping. His love for the outdoors was also obvious in his gardening where maintained a beautiful collection of roses. He belonged to the Green Mountaineers Black Powder Group and the Happy Ramblers Camping Group. Eugene was a very kind, caring and fun loving man. Eugene had a collection of caps with fun and unique sayings on them. Eugene is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Everill Mertesdorf of Litchfield, children, Scott (and Susan) Mertesdorf of Belgrade, Sandy (and fiancé Josh Duchateau) Mertesdorf of Butte, Montana and Susan Mertesdorf of Litchfield, grandson Michael Sand (and special friend Tanja) of Sauk Center, siblings, Leon (and Arlowen) Mertesdorf of Nashwauk, John (and Bonnie) Mertesdorf of Nicollet, Carol (and Howie) Christensen of St. Peter, Duane Mertesdorf of Janesville and, Glenn (and special friend Carol Green) Mertesdorf of Courtland, sister-in-law, Dottie Calkins of Merrimac, Wisconsin and, mother-in-law, Lorayne Caauwe of Litchfield besides many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jerry, sister-in-law Renee, and father-in-law Merle Caauwe.