Lorraine Mertens, age 99, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2026 in the comfort of her family. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 21 at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Redwood Falls. Visitation will be from 9-10 am on Saturday at the church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Lorraine Martha Mertens was born on January 25, 1927 to Bert and Lena (Rosenau) Raveling at home on the family farm near Wabasso, MN. She attended rural School District #78 and graduated from Wabasso High School in 1945. Following her graduation, she was employed by Cheney’s Cafe and the Ben Franklin Store in Redwood Falls. Lorraine and her friends loved to dance, and it was at the Odeon Hall in Belview, MN where she met her husband Bob, and they were married on February 17, 1949. They enjoyed 66 years of marriage, dancing and working the farm together. As the saying goes, “good things come in small packages”—and Lorraine embodied that spirit. Small but mighty, she was generous, caring, and never let her size stand in the way of tackling the many jobs on the farm. She tended large vegetable gardens, canning and was always thinking ahead to the next project. Lorraine enjoyed socializing with friends and neighbors, playing cards, camping, and traveling. She was a great cook, often assisting at the Catholic church in Bechyn for weddings and celebrations. Everyone knew where the “cookie” drawer in the kitchen was and she shared her love of sweets by filling it with freshly baked goods and each fall, the best apple pies for her family. At age 94, she moved to Garnette Gardens Assisted Living in Redwood Falls. She delighted in making new friends, playing bingo, and visiting with old friends.

She is survived by her son, Larry (Vicki) of Redwood Falls, daughter, Diane of Minnetonka, son Duane (Cindy) of Danube. Seven grandchildren, David Mertens of Redwood Falls and Chad Mertens of Belview, Mariah Winkels of Minnetonka, Patrick Winkels of Madison, WI, Michelle (Adam) MacHolda of Redwood Falls, Eric (Kelsey) Mertens of Moorhead, and Jason (Maddie) Mertens of Danube, MN. She is also survived by ten great grandchildren; one great-great grandson; brother Donald (Ardyce) Raveling; sister-in-law Shirley (Donald) Pohlen, brothers-in-law Leo Mertens and Jim (Jeannette) Mertens. She is preceded in death by parents Bert and Lena Raveling, husband Bob in 2015, sister Bernice Steffen, and niece Janell Raveling.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at Garnette Gardens for the compassionate and loving care they provided. Also, a heartfelt thank you to Redwood Falls Hospice for their kindness and support.