Mernice Joy Petry, 79, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 20, 2015 at the Twin Valley Living Center, Twin Valley, MN.

Mernice was born on October 17, 1935 in rural Fertile to Ralph and Doris (Olson) Helm. She grew up with her brother, Doug, on a rural farm and attended Fertile schools, graduating in 1953. On January 3, 1954, Mernice married Leroy (Guy) Petry at St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Fertile. In the years to come, they were blessed with four beautiful children: Greg, Tim, Deann, and Dan. Mernice & Leroy started a family farm where she enjoyed driving tractor, combining, working on the farm, & providing for her family. She also enjoyed the time she spent working at Bergeson Nursery, waitressing in Fertile, as a food demonstrator at Hugo's in Crookston, and being the choir director at St. John's Lutheran Church. She especially enjoyed making people laugh, Fertile-Beltrami sporting events, especially watching her grandchildren, supporting Minnesota sports teams, and she certainly loved people & giving back.

Mernice is survived by her sons: Greg (Bonnie) Petry & Tim (Jodi) Petry, both of Fertile, MN. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren & 13 great grandchildren; several nephews, nieces and cousins.
Mernice was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph & Doris Helm, her brother, Doug Helm, her daughter, Deann Alonzo, her son, Dan, and her husband, Leroy. Leroy and Mernice shared many wonderful years together and Mernice's family is thankful that she is now dancing with her Leroy again, up in heaven.

Funeral: 11:00AM, Monday, July 27, 2015 at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.

Visitation: one hour before the funeral service.

Burial: St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fertile.