Melvin "Mel" Mertz, age 94, of Bismarck, ND, formerly of Elgin, ND, passed away at the Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center in Bismarck, ND, on Sunday, December 10, 2023.

Service of Remembrance for Mel will be Friday, December 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. MT at Hope Congregational Church in Elgin, ND.  Rev. Ed Zimmerman will officiate.  Burial will be at the Hope Congregational Cemetery & Luncheon will follow at the church. All are welcome to celebrate the life of Melvin Mertz.

Melvin was born on November 18, 1929 to Reinhold and Frieda (Wanner) Mertz. at the home farm SE of   Dawson, ND.  He was baptized and confirmed at the Glueckstal Lutheran Church, which to this day still sturdily stands near the farm home.  Melvin attended a one room country school through eighth grade. He learned perseverance being born during the great depression, and the dust bowl. It was in his youth that he developed his musical talents. Melvin taught himself to play the guitar, violin, mandolin, and he was an accomplished accordion player. All of which, he learned to play by ear with no lessons.  Throughout his life, his accordion music was his greatest passion.

Melvin & Ella Anna Lachenmeier were united in marriage on October 30, 1950. They were blessed with  8 children, 7 sons and 1 daughter. They farmed NE of Napoleon for 16 years enduring hard times with little means. Melvin taught his children by example. He was a creative thinker and didn't let hard times and scarcity deter him from his creative pursuit or changing course. Melvin auctioned the farm & moved his family to Tappen, then Jamestown, ND. He  labored at many jobs throughout the years, insurance salesman, trucking, carpentry, construction, masonry, all self taught. In 1973, Melvin and Ella separated and Mel relocated to  Mandan then later to Elgin, North Dakota, where he purchased a bar he called Mel's Place. There he met Helen Winkler. They were married on November 30, 1995. Mel and Helen shared common interest in music performance, singing together and entertaining for community events and church services. They held many special Christmases for the children and grandchildren at their home in Elgin and Mel's Place.  Helen passed away May 30, 2002. Melvin continued volunteering each time he was called upon, simply enjoying the privilege of playing for an appreciative audience. He enjoyed collecting & practicing his instruments and inspired each of his children's inherent individual abilities. Melvin will be remembered for his unique and loving characteristics.

Survivors include his daughter, Melva (Conrad) Haag, Center ND, and his 7 sons: Myron, Glen Ullin, Mervyn (Judy) Bismarck, Maynard (Colleen) Fargo, Lonny (Stephanie) Linton, Lyndon (Mona) Mandan, Loryn (Jodi) Bismarck, & Wolfgang (Ali), NY; 26 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren; siblings: Allean Boschee, Alvin (Edna) Mertz, Quentin (Arlyss) Mertz, JoAnne (Larry) Gauper, Bernice Rau, Sandy (Lloyd) Olsgard.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Helen, Ella Mertz Guthmiller; one sister, Esther Opp; and 4 brother in law's, Reiny Opp, Clint Rau, Darrel Veil, & Gideon Boschee.