WINNEBAGO — Marshall “Mert” Merton Messer, age 95, died Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, at St. Luke’s Care Center in Blue Earth, Minn. A memorial service in celebration of Marshall’s life will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Spencer-Owen Funeral Home in Winnebago, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Winnebago.

Spencer-Owen Funeral Home in Winnebago is assisting the family with arrangements.

www.spencerowen.com

Marshall Messer was born Feb. 3, 1924, in Winnebago, Minn., the son of John and Irene (Nichols) Messer. He was raised in Winnebago, graduating from Winnebago High School in 1942. Mert served his country with valor as a World War II combat veteran in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946, making five separate island landings in the South Pacific theatre.

Upon his return from the war, Mert married Lorraine Haight and they enjoyed 64 wonderful years together.

Mert worked for Roerig Hardware for several years before starting his own business, Messer Refrigeration and Appliance, where he built a loyal customer following in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.

He retired in 1989 and thoroughly enjoyed retirement, traveling the U.S. with Lorraine and spending time with family and treasured friends.

Marshall is survived by son, David (Karen) of Redwood Falls, Minn.; daughter, Mary (Del) of Boise, Idaho; sister, Ann Tracy of Sacramento, Calif.; eight grandchildren; 12 great- grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Marshall was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine; his parents; daughter, Sandy Cone; brothers, Jack and Vernon Messer; and sister Margaret O’Grady.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Luke’s Care Center in Blue Earth, Minn., where he received wonderful care or the Salvation Army (give.salvationarmyusa.org), who Mert always said made all the difference to the soldiers during the war, would be greatly appreciated.

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