Mertle Bauer

Mertle Fetzer-Bauer, 81, Bismarck, North Dakota, died, Friday, July 25, 2014, at St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, July 29, 2014, at First Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Allen Wagner, officiating. Family will be receiving friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Mertle was born July 7, 1933, to William and Mertle (Mathews) Backer at Robinson, North Dakota, where she was raised and educated. She graduated from Robinson High School and lettered in basketball. In 1952, she married Earl Fetzer and together had five children, Jan, Stevie, Lonnie, Currie and Billie Jean. In 1982 she married Lawrence Bauer. Mertle worked at St. Alexius Medical Center as a supply technician for over 40 years. She enjoyed cooking for family and friends and made sure nothing went to waste. Leftovers either went home with someone or were given to the many animals she loved. She was always meeting old friends and making new ones. She loved to play bingo, go to the casino, but mostly attend church. She is survived by her daughter, Billie Jean (Darrell) Bohl; three sons, Jan Fetzer, Lonnie (Sandra) Fetzer, and Currie Fetzer, all of Bismarck; three step-sons, Delane Bauer, Beulah, ND, Lance Bauer and Derek Bauer, both of Bismarck; sister, Wilma (Jim) McIntyre, Bismarck; 10 grandchildren; six, great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mertle was preceded in death by her two husbands; parents; son, Stevie; grandson, Adam Fetzer; and two brothers, Alvin Backer and Bill Backer.