October 31, 1930 – April 25, 2026
Our beloved mother, Mary Helen (Greener) Mertz, age 95, passed away April 25, 2026 at her home in West Bend, Iowa. She was born on October 31, 1930, in Dubuque, Iowa to Joseph E. & Mary Jane (McDonald) Greener. She was the oldest of three children. Mary Helen attended St. Raphael’s Cathedral and elementary school. She then attended High School at The Academy of Visitation in Dubuque, Iowa, graduating in 1948. She attended Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, attending for a year where she met John B. Mertz, Jr. (“Jocko”) while at Clarke College while he was attending Loras Academy at the time. Mary Helen and Jocko in marriage on June 20, 1949. The Big City Girl moved with her new husband to the small town of West Bend, Iowa where he operated the John Deere Implement Dealership and Mertz Livestock with his father and brother.
Mary Helen and Jack (Jocko) brought into the world six beautiful children and Mary Helen became a full-time mother and housewife. She loved taking the kids to the Whittemore swimming pool and getting Dairy Queen blizzards.
The couple had many lifelong friends in West Bend, some of whom travelled with them to Las Vegas, Nevada during the cold winter months to have fun. Eventually they bought a condo on a golf course in Arizona City, Arizona,
Mary Helen was a devoted member of SSt Peter & Paul Catholic Parish and School, where she gave generously of her time and talent. Her faith in God and the power of prayer sustained her through some tough times, when our father, Jack and our brother, John passed away. She was a classroom aide at SSt Peter & Paul elementary school, and the kids all knew when she was in the building because of her distinctive perfume, ‘Royal Secret’. Mary
Helen loved being on the West Bend City Council for 25 years, where she left a meaningful and lasting impact on the town.
Mary Helen loved playing golf and her weekly bridge matches along with beating everyone who challenged her at Scrabble.
Mary Helen took great pride in her Irish Heritage, visiting Ireland three times, cherishing the values and traditions it instilled in her. She found her most profound love and joy in her family with her husband and children. She had an open heart and lived a life full of compassion, strength and deep devotion to her family.
Mary Helen is survived by her children: Linda Martin (Dr. Dale) of Chevy Chase, MD, Jeffrey Mertz, of Omaha, NE, Patrick J. Mertz (Pam) of Omaha, NE, Lisa Davenport (Joe) of St. Louis, MO and Kara Berg (John) of Dallas, TX, sister Mary Rita Georgine Silver Spring, MD, 14 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph E. and Mary Jane (McDonald) Greener; Husband, Jack Mertz; son John B Mertz III and brother, John Greener.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 Friday, May 1,2026 at Divine Mercy Parish- SST Peter & Paul Catholic Church, West Bend, Iowa with Msgr. Edward Girres officiating.
Friends may visit from 5-7pm on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at SST Peter & Paul Catholic Church West Bend, Iowa. Rosary will be said at 4:45pm prior to the viewing.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice of the Homeland, 1515 S. Phillips St., #3649 Algona, Iowa 50597; West Bend Health & Rehabilitation Center, or to Divine Mercy Parish—SST Peter & Paul Catholic Church.
A celebration of her life with entombment of her ashes will take place at a later date.
lentzfuneralhome.com