Michael W. Mertz

Michael W. Mertz, age 73, died peacefully on Thursday morning, September 20, 2018, after a very long illness.
Michael was born on July 17, 1945, in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. He was the son of the late Nathaleen A. Moakler Mertz and William C. Mertz. Following some time at the Sacred Heart Seminary in Oneida, Wisconsin, Michael graduated from Lincoln High School, Manitowoc in 1963, and went on to achieve the following degrees and credentials: He became a Certified Independent Clinical Social Worker (CICSW) in 1995, and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC III) in 1988. Michael was awarded a Master of Science (MS) degree in Educational Psychology – Counseling and Guidance emphasis by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1975 and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1968.
Michael was a Peace Corps volunteer in Swaziland, Africa for two years in 1969 and 1970 where he taught math and science at the secondary level.
Michael’s professional career spanned many years and found him in many different positions in the mental health counseling and consulting field including Family/Marriage Counseling, Alcohol and Drug Therapy, Crisis Counseling, and Employee Assistance Program Coordinating and Counseling, for several different organizations including CASI Programs, Bellin Hospital, and ThedaCare Behavioral Health, until Michael retired due to his illness in 2005.
On September 15, 1965, Michael met Kathlyn Schroeder at the University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc Center. In his words, it was love at first sight! They dated through their college years, sat for the Peace Corps exam together during the turbulent Viet Nam era, and both were accepted. Mike went off to Peace Corps training in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, followed by his first year as a Peace Corps volunteer in Swaziland. Kathy remained in the States to complete her Medical Technology internship year at UWM and Mount Sinai Hospital, after which she was offered a Peace Corps position in the Eastern Caribbean which she declined, and went off, instead, as a private citizen, to join Michael in Swaziland where she was immediately offered a position as a Medical Technologist running a small clinic laboratory in Mbabane. Two days after the end of Michael’s second and final year of Peace Corps, the two were married in Mbabane, Swaziland, Africa on December 14, 1970. Michael began teaching then, in that capital city, at Waterford/Kamthaba School, a prestigious multi-racial school where Nelson Mandela’s daughters happened to be his students. After Michael had been in Swaziland for a total of 4 ½ years and, Kathy, for a total of 3 ½ years, the two left Swaziland for their almost-4 month trip of a lifetime of 21 stops that took them to 13 African countries and 8 European countries. During Michael’s long illness, he would often remember fondly their many adventures on this trip. The highlight for Michael was that the two had climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania together. During the end of his years at home with Kathy, while he could still formulate sentences, he would often ask, when she mentioned people of their past, “But, do they know that we climbed Mount Kilimanjaro?” Yes, Michael, they do, because, as I promised, I am telling that part of our story for both of us.
Michael is survived by his wife of almost 48 years: Kathlyn Mertz, De Pere; their son: Adam (Lisa) Mertz, Lombard, Illinois, and one granddaughter: Madeline Mertz, age 3; one sister: Margaret “Peg’’ Mertz, Valders; two brothers: Patrick (Valerie) Mertz, Bath, Michigan; and Andrew Mertz, Manitowoc; a sister-in-law, Sue Mertz; and nephews Ryan, Jason, Eric, and Lucas; along with other relatives and friends. Michael was preceded in death by his brother, Robert H. Mertz in 1997.
While he was able, Michael enjoyed his hobbies of photography, reading, Bonsai and music.
A private celebration to honor Michael’s life will be held at a later date.
Cotter Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com
The family would like to thank their staff at Care Partners in Little Chute for the dedication to Michael’s care over the last 4 ½ years, and to Compassus Hospice for their help at the end of his life.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Michael’s name. Donations to be used for memorial/s at the Spirit of Rivers Monument, and/or at the Green Bay Botanical Garden, will be gratefully accepted on behalf of the family by Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N. Wester Ave, De Pere WI 54115.