2005 Senate Joint Resolution 80
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and service of Merton Timmerman.
Whereas, Merton Timmerman of River Falls, Wisconsin, was born on May 6, 1919, in Monticello, Minnesota, and passed away on March 15, 2006, after a 15 year battle with cancer; and
Whereas, after graduating from River Falls High School in 1936, Mert enrolled in the Wisconsin State Normal School in River Falls, which is now the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and earned teaching degrees in agriculture and science; and
Whereas, Mert courageously served our country in the U.S. Navy as a pilot during World War II, where he flew 46 missions in the Pacific theater and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross; and
Whereas, upon completing his service in the U.S. Navy, Mert became a respected teacher at Dunn County Agricultural High School; and
Whereas, as a farmer for 30 years, Mert committed his life to promoting agriculture and fought for farmland preservation as a St. Croix county commissioner; and
Whereas, later in life, Mert devoted a great deal of time to reforestation and conservation practices, entrusting 70 acres of his woodland to the western Wisconsin land trust thereby ensuring the land would be preserved; and
Whereas, Mert was honored with several awards in 1986, including the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau and the award for Excellence in Agriculture Conservation by the American Farmland Trust in Washington, D.C.; and
Whereas, Mert was an active and devoted member of the community his entire life, serving on organizations and boards including the River Falls Plan Commission, the St. Croix County Board, the St. Croix County Farm Bureau, the St. Croix Central School Board, and the Western Wisconsin Refugee Orientation Committee; and
Whereas, Mert generously opened his home and offered assistance to foreign students; and
Whereas, Mert enjoyed nearly 50 years of marriage to his loving wife, Eleanor, who passed away in 1991, and their union was blessed with 4 children and 9 grandchildren; and
Whereas, Mert will always be remembered for his generosity and respectful nature, his kind and gentle spirit, and his caring personality; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature, on behalf of a grateful state, honor Merton Timmerman for his dedicated service to the River Falls community and extend their condolences to his family and friends; and, be it further
Resolved, That the senate chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to Merton Timmerman's children, Richard Timmerman, Marian Timmerman, Janet Socks, and Martha Lahmann and to his brother, Albert Timmerman.
