Merton Lee Bartsch was born Thursday, October 30, 1930 to Mr. & Mrs. Emil R. Bartsch of Rapidan, Minnesota. He grew up and attended grade and high school in Rapidan, Minnesota graduating in 1948. He attended Mankato State Teachers College from 1948 to 1950. In 1950 he transferred to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where he graduated in 1953 with a masters degree in Mechanical Engineering. He briefly began his employment with General Motors in Saginaw, Michigan until called into military service in 1954. After honorable discharge from military service he married Mary S. Grove of White Bear Lake, Minnesota in June of 1956. They moved to Saginaw, Michigan where he returned to his employment with General Motors. Their (4) children were all born in Saginaw. In 1967 they moved to East Moline, IL. where he was employed by John Deere and later SIVYER STEEL. In 1999 he retired and he and his wife moved back to White Bear Lake, Minnesota. He remained active in retirement as a volunteer for HABITAT FOR HUMANITY for over 10 years as well as several positions in his church WHITE BEAR LAKE METHODIST CHURCH. He is preceded in death by his wife Mary "Sally"; parents Emil & ruth Bartsch and sister Wilma Bartsch Whiting. He is survived by his children Steven Bartsch, Rebecca Bartsch Leiter, Hans Bartsch and Eric Bartsch, several grandchildren and brother Glenn. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your favorite charity. Private burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.