Kenneth “Ken” C. Mertz, 68, of Gordon, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

He was born in Superior on May 6, 1958, the son of Kenneth and Shirley (Hill) Mertz.

Ken graduated from Superior Senior High School with the class of 1976 and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Wisconsin Superior in 1980. He played hockey for the Yellow Jackets and was co-captain his senior year.

In 1985, Ken married Pam Parish and they celebrated 41years of marriage.

Ken has been the owner of Mertz-Rookey Insurance Agency in Solon Springs since 2002, and he was very proud of the work he did. Prior to owning Mertz-Rookey, he worked for Sentry Insurance, the Incan Superior, and Svensson Shipping.

He was very involved in the community serving on boards including, the YMCA Board, UWS Alumni Board, SAHA board and served as President. He was a member of Acacia-Itasca Masonic Lodge #329 and was Past Master, AAD Shrine, Duluth Court #55 Order of Jesters, and an active member of Zion Lutheran Church and was past president of the church council.

Ken enjoyed numerous activities including hockey, softball, fishing, hunting, golfing, bowling, skiing, both downhill and cross country skiing the Birkie twice, hiking, traveling and playing cards.

Ken and Pam recently bought a house in Arizona and were looking forward to many winters there. He had joined the softball league in Green Valley and enjoyed meeting all “the guys” and playing a game he enjoyed so much.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth M. and Shirley Mertz; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Janice and Richard Parish; and his beloved dogs.

He is survived by his wife, Pam; son, Luke (Lindsay)Mertz; and daughter, Kendra (Chris) Rogers; grandchildren, Maelyn, Joselyn and Carmen Mertz, and Oliver Rogers; sisters, Sunnie (Steve) Lamppa and Terriann Mertz; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Renee and Gary Rivord; and his aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

A visitation will be held on Friday, October 9th from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Masonic service at 7:00 at Downs Life Celebration Center 1902 N 34th St. Superior.

Visitation will resume on Saturday October 10th from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. funeral service at Zion Lutheran Church, 2022 E 2nd St., Superior with Pastor Sarah Gunderson as officiant.

The family requests you bring a non-perishable food item to the church to help stock Zion’s food cupboard in Ken’s memory. If desired, memorials in Ken’s name can be made to Zion Lutheran Church or the Humane Society of Douglas County.