Merlin P. “Mert” Kaiser, 86, of Dubuque died Thursday, July 19, 2019 at Mercy Medical Center surrounded by his children. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 Kennedy Road where there will be a parish wake service at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Church of the Resurrection. Entombment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery where military rites will be accorded by the Dubuque Marine Corps League.
Mert was born May 26, 1932 in Sylvia Switch, Iowa, son of Gerhard and Lorena (Brink) Kaiser. He served in the US Naval Reserve from 1950 to 1958.
On May 27, 1952, he married Jane Reinecke at St. Thomas Church in Potosi, Wisconsin.
Mert worked as a supervisor for The Dubuque Packing Co. and FDL foods for 44 years before his retirement in 1994. After his retirement, he worked part time at the Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory.
He was a member of the Church of the Resurrection where he served as an usher for many years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and was inducted into the Dubuque Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame.
Playing baseball was an important part of Mert’s early life as he continued to play and umpire softball as long as he could. He was an avid lover of nature and the outdoors, spending time on family mushroom hunts, and golfing and fishing trips were always highlights.
Mert’s many lifelong friendships and the stories that accompanied them are cherished. His face always lit up with visits from his family, especially his grand and great-grandchildren and time with his dog, Chloe. A highlight of his later life was the privilege of going on an Honor Flight to Washington DC. Mert is survived by five children, Connie (Terry) Hutchcroft of Dubuque, Gary (Wanda) Kaiser of Dubuque, Ken (Cheryl “Charlie”) Kaiser of Dubuque, Laurie (Jeff) Knott of Marion, Iowa; and Greg Kaiser of Dubuque; 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters in law, Evelyn and Lucille Kaiser, Mary Langkamp, and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Jane; parents, Gerhard Kaiser and Lorena (Brink) Kaiser Droessler and step father, Henry Droessler; two brothers, Vince and Jerry Kaiser; three sisters, Esther Busch, Sr. Helen Kaiser and Lillian Salzmann; brothers in law, Joe Salzmann, Fran Busch, Bill Reinecke and LeRoy Langkamp; two grandsons, Justin (J.T.) Kaiser and Gaylin Leirmoe and two great grandsons, Jack and Gage Leirmoe.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mert Kaiser Memorial Fund.
The family would like to thank the staff at Oak Park, and all of the other doctors, nurses and health care professionals who helped with Mert’s care.