Merle Joseph Wilmes

Mankato Mortuary
1001 North Riverfront Drive
Mankato, MN 56001
507-388-2202

Merle Joseph Wilmes, age 62, died Tuesday, February 9, 2016.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, February 15, 2016 at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Mankato. Visitation will be held Sunday from 2 – 5 p.m. with a 1:30 p.m., prayer service at Mankato Mortuary. Visitation continues one hour before service, Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Merle was born May 26, 1953 to Merle Sr. and Elaine (Torgerson) Wilmes in Mankato. Merle graduated from Mankato High School in 1971. He then graduated from Mankato Vo-Tech in Culinary Arts. Merle worked at Michael’s restaurant in Mankato where he met the love of his life Kathy. On November 25, 1978 Merle was united in marriage to Kathy Pietsch at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Merle was proud of his 33.5 years at MSU in shipping and receiving.

Merle was a member of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church and was a dedicated member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, he served as court officer for St. Joseph Court #552 Mankato. Merle was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, North Mankato. Merle enjoyed fishing, poker, cribbage, bowling, repairing rods and reels and John Wayne memorabilia. Merle will be remembered best as a kind soul.

Merle is survived by two daughters, Jessica (Alan) Jordan of Rochester, MN, Nicole (Jason) Evenson of Good Thunder; three siblings, Lynnette (Thomas) Vogel, Dawn (Larry) Bolhuis all Mankato, Brad Wilmes of North Mankato; brother-in-law, Dean (Dee) Pietsch; sisters-in-law, Dorothy (Leon) Willaert, Pat (Bill) Depuydt, Connie (Jerry) Scheurer, Bonnie (Greg) Thomas, Ginny (Alan) Scheurer, Kay Pietsch; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceded in death by his parents, wife, Kathy in 1991, brother, Mark, 1986 and brother-in-law, Don.