James John Merten

James J. Merten, 75, of Carver, MN passed away on 07/20/2024, surrounded by his loving family. Born on 09/20/1948 in Minneapolis.

Jim is survived by his cherished family: his beloved wife, Gea; his children, Justin (Machelle), Damon (Anastacia), Maggie (Mitchell), Gabriel (Danielle), Noah (Sonia), Jonah, Samuel; his grandchildren, Laila (Jordan), Jane, Madeline, Sophia, Martha (Noah), Eloise, Eva, William, Harrison, Sadie, Henry, Beckett, Elsie; his great-grandchildren, Mary, Ivy, Francesca, Theodore; his siblings, Danny (Char), Shirley (Jay), Joan (Richard), Lilly (Vic), Barb, Paula (John), Jerry; he is preceded in death by his parents, Jerome and Theresa Merten; and brother, Tom Merten (Joanne).

A memorial service will be held on 08/29 at 1P.M. at Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel. A reception will follow at the family residence in Carver.

Jim is deeply missed.

When a loved one dies, we often emphasize their earthly achievements, seeking comfort in their accomplishments. It is often suggested, perhaps unrealistically, that in death, a person’s life is transformed into pure and flawless goodness. Maybe these cookie-cutter eulogies persist because they comfort us about our own pursuits. They offer a soothing bedtime story, one that tries to assuage our uncertainties and validate our earthly goals as steps up the ladder of life.

I could spend the time describing his life with pithy adjectives, calling him an artist, a perfectionist, and a great craftsman. I could recount his love for his family, being a father of seven, a brother of eight, and a friend to many. His passions were diverse, from motorcycles and sailing to guns and watches. I could talk at length about his challenges, his battles with manic depression, heart failure and Lewy-body dementia and how he endured time and again many misfortunes without a complaint, displaying a stubborn resilience. Yet, these summations would feel hollow. Stripped of the veneer, what remained at the end was a broken body, a broken mind—an empty vessel.

And maybe that’s what really terrifies us deep down inside. When we start to lean into that very uncomfortable silence, we experience a small piece of the “void” that waits for us at the end. No matter how many times we try to lie to ourselves, we have no true foundation in this life: jobs change, health wanes, children grow up, friends leave, family dies. When it’s all said and done, what’s left? Perhaps a few tears, some pithy statements, and the memories held by those who survive.

 So then, my dear reader, I ask you to examine your own journey. You see, Jim was given an identity beyond the things he did, the things he failed to do, words he never could say, the right things he didn’t do, the mistakes he made, the love he showed, or even his proudest legacy, the family he left behind. In other words, Jim experienced a life of grace—unmerited favor from God above. His final desire is that you too would have your life touched by God’s grace and unconditional love. Even at the end, experiencing the final suffering down a road we must all travel, Jim still experienced God’s grace flowing from his Savior Jesus Christ.

Jim would want you to share in that same cup of grace poured out for you. Your life can change from something meaningless to one marked with purpose—brokenness turned into beauty—tragedy into triumph— that this life is woven into a grander story, one of hope, love and faith. All you must do is ask.

“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love”

“Work hard at believing in God more and more. make sure that you get everlasting life; God called you to have it. You stood before many people and said that you believed in Christ.”

‘I believe; help my unbelief!’