Margaret "Maggie" L. Mertens

Margaret (Maggie) Mertens was born November 6, 1942 in Rock Springs, Wyoming to Thomas and Josephine Plemel. She passed away February 11, 2026 at the age of 83. Maggie spent her childhood in Rock Springs before moving to Cheyenne at age 12. She graduated from St. Mary's Catholic High School in 1961 and the University of Wyoming in 1965, receiving a degree in elementary education. She taught 2nd grade before beginning her lifelong career as a mom. While attending the University of Wyoming, Maggie met Alan Mertens in 1964. They married on June 25, 1966 in Cheyenne. After graduation, Alan's Air Force career took them to Utah, Alabama, Massachusetts, and Florida. They left the Air Force and settled in Cheyenne, after which they made Fort Collins their permanent home in 1977.

Maggie grew up with three sisters, Mary, Martha, and Pat. She had the unique experience of being an identical twin, and she and her twin sister Martha were close throughout childhood and beyond. While marriage and jobs moved them to different parts of the country, they shared an incredible bond all their lives.

Maggie dedicated her life to her husband and their five children. She loved big family gatherings, baking, the Broncos, traveling with Alan, and country music. She lit up every room with her radiant smile and welcoming heart. She was a devoted member of the Catholic Church and enjoyed gathering for bible study with friends. After her children were grown, Maggie spent many years helping others through volunteer work with Meals on Wheels, Larimer County Victims' Advocates, and Mary's Closet at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Her claim to fame in her retirement years was being chosen to carry the Olympic torch through Loveland for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games.

Maggie is survived by Alan, her husband of 59 years; sons Alan, Jr. (Renee) of Fort Collins; Joe of Ajijic, Mexico; and Dan (Tina) of Oxford, AL; daughters Jennifer Kile (Steven) and Stephanie Crookston (Mike) of Fort Collins. She is also survived by grandchildren Tabbitha Johnson (Chris), Tara Showalter (Ryan), Christopher Mertens, Jon Mertens, Derek Mertens, Alexandra Mertens, Alan Mertens III, Annabelle Mertens, Jack Mertens, Danielle Mertens, Ryan Kile, Noah Kile, Jason Kile, Matthew Crookston, and Garrett Crookston; sister Mary Snow of Cheyenne and twin sister Martha Pradel of Kingwood, TX. She also leaves seven great-grandchildren.

Although dementia took the wife, mom, and grandma we loved so much, Maggie kept her wit, humor, and kind heart until the end. Maggie's family was fortunate to spend the last days of her life at her bedside laughing and reminiscing. We are immensely grateful for the care and love she received over the past two years from the amazing staff at Aspens at Fort Collins Memory Care and Bristol Hospice.

The family will gather privately to celebrate Maggie's beautiful life. If you would like to honor Maggie, consider planting a tree or flowers, giving through an act of kindness, or volunteering for a meaningful local cause.

When her family took her for granted as families sometimes do, Maggie used to jokingly tell us we would miss her when she was gone. She was right.