Jeffrey Thomas Mertens, age 62 of Echo, passed away Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at Parkview Senior Living in Belview. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Redwood Falls. Visitation will be held 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 6 at the Redwood Valley Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Tuesday. Interment is in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery at Seaforth. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Jeffrey Thomas Mertens was born on November 13, 1963, in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, to Leo and Theresa (Starken) Mertens. He attended Wabasso Public School, graduating in 1982. Jeff spent 30 years working at a cabinet shop in Cottonwood, where he became a specialty cabinet builder and took great pride in the quality of his work. He also helped with fieldwork on the family farm each spring and fall. Two years ago, he made a career change and went to work for Farmers Coop Elevator in Montevideo. He enjoyed working with farmers, loading trains, and tackling whatever job needed to be done. Most of all, he appreciated being able to work outdoors. Jeff enjoyed just about any outdoor activity. In his younger years, he loved horseback riding, water skiing, and snowmobiling with friends. Family fondly remembers him giving his cousins exciting sled rides behind the snowmobile during family gatherings. He liked to go fast and made adventures they never forgot. Jeff always looked forward to family gatherings, especially when there was good food. Over the years, Jeff enjoyed many hunting, fishing, and ice fishing trips with his brother-in-law Doug and family, creating stories that are still told today. On one deer hunting trip, Jeff and Doug were assigned to push deer toward the other hunters. After following a set of tracks for quite some time, Jeff finally pointed out that they had been following the other hunters’ footprints the whole time. It became one of many stories that brought plenty of laughs over the years. Another memorable hunting trip included a middle-of-the-night scramble after an agitated squirrel found its way into the cabin. As everyone tried to catch it, Jeff managed to grab only its tail. After plenty of laughter and mayhem, the squirrel was finally captured. Following his cancer diagnosis, the Hagen boys took Jeff on a catfishing trip to the Red River near Fargo. It became one of his favorite recent memories. God made sure Jeff caught the biggest catfish of the day, along with several others. Jeff was always willing to lend a hand whenever someone needed help. During his illness, he was deeply appreciative of everyone who visited, took him for rides, offered their support, and cared for him.
Jeff survived by his daughters: Justina (Eian) Denton of Fairmont & Tanisha (Kolin) Eckstrom of Hanley Falls; grandchildren: Liam, Willow & Londynn Eckstrom, Zoie & baby (in January) Denton; father Leo Mertens of Wabasso; siblings: Barb (Doug) Hagen of Hanley Falls, Greg (Dawn) Mertens of Olivia, Todd (Nicole) Mertens of Wabasso & Dawn ( Dennis) Eitel of Sebeka; nieces & nephews: Andrew Hagen, Darik (Sarah) Mertens, Malori (Cale) Blare, Martin (Becky) Hagen, Austin Mertens, Hannah (Cody) Bernardy, Cole ( Mallarie) Mertens, Breann Mertens, Katalynn ( Max) DeGroat, Trey Mertens, Brooklynn Mertens, Tony Mertens, Hana Eitel, Blake Eitel, Emma Mertens & Chloe Mertens; and many great- nieces and nephews. Jeff is preceded in death by his mother Theresa Mertens, brother Ronnie Mertens and grandparents: Cleo & Henry Mertens and Alice & Harold Starken.
