Alta M. Mertz

Alta M. Mertz, 87, of Baileyville died Wednesday at Manor Court of Freeport. Alta was born May 25, 1924 in Sterling, Illinois, the daughter of Siebelt and Elsa (Stern) Janssen. On December 23, 1942 Alta married Harold E. Mertz in rural Carroll County. Harold passed away on November 30, 2010. Alta and Harold farmed for many years near Baileyville. Alta was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Forreston. Family was important to her especially her grandchildren. Survivors include; one son; Richard (Sandra) Mertz of Baileyville, two daughters; Barbara (John) Ott of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, and Susan (Terry) Mueller of Grand Junction, Colorado, one brother; Bill (Doris) Janssen of Polo, four grandchildren; Wendy (Troy) Derrer of Lanark, Michelle (Chad) Griffith of Baileyville, Jennifer (David) Spencer of Rockford and Elizabeth Ott of Madison, Wisconsin. Also surviving are four great-grandchildren and three step-grandchildren. Alta was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers and one sister. Funeral services for Mrs. Mertz will be Saturday, 10:30 A.M. at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Forreston with Rev. Roger Hurlbut officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. until time of service at the church. A memorial has been established in Alta'™s memory. Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery, Polo. Please sign the guestbook at www.burketubbs.com.