Mertis C. (Mrs. Harland) Kelm, age 85, of Faribault, died on Saturday, February 7, 2009, at the St. Lucas Care Center, Faribault.

      Funeral services will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Faribault, on Wednesday, February 11, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend Steven J. Kuehne, officiating.  Interment will be in the Meadow Ridge Memorial Park, Faribault.

      Visitation will be in the Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault, on Tuesday, February 10, 2009, from 4 to 7 p.m. and also in the church for one hour prior to the services on Wednesday.

      Mertis C., the daughter of John and Nellie (Grau) Akemann was born on March 4, 1923, in Wells.  She attended Trinity Lutheran School and Faribault High School.  She married Harland Kelm on June 21, 1945, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Faribault.  She was a homemaker and assisted her husband on the family farm.  She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Bethany Society, Rice County Home Extension and 4-H.

      She is survived by her husband, Harland; three children, Jim (and Barb) Kelm of Red Wing, Dale (and Theresa) Kelm of Faribault and Judy (and Brad) Covert of Faribault; nine grandchildren, Heidi (and Tim) Arbisi-Kelm, Gretchen Kelm, Rebecca (and fiancé Jake Good) Kelm, Karen (and Joe) Biwersi, Brenda (and Jeffrey) Miller, Carla (and Nathan) Agre, Sarah Covert, Andrew Covert, Joel Covert; four great grandchildren, David and Michael Biwersi, Ethan Agre and Hope Miller; two sisters, Arlene Riemer of Pulcifer, WI and Helen (and George) Rhode of Gillett, WI; one sister-in-law, Beth Akemann of Apple Valley; nieces; nephews; and other relatives and friends.

      She was preceded in death by her parents; and three brothers, Elmer, Maynard and Merlyn Akemann.