- Date Of Birth: May 26, 1928
- Date Of Death: September 10, 2011
- State: Michigan
Friedrich “Fritz” Mersmann, age 83 of Sanford, died Saturday morning September 10, 2011 at Tendercare of Midland. The son of the late Friedrich and Clara E. (Breidenbach) Mersmann was born on May 26, 1928 in Remscheid, Germany.
Fritz served as a Paratrooper in the German Army during World War II, until he was captured in Italy by American Troops. As a POW he was sent to camp in Roswell, New Mexico until the end of the war when he returned to Germany. In August of 1962 Fritz came to live in the United States and became a naturalized citizen in 2002. He was an artist by profession where he owned and operated Riverside Gallery in Sanford for many years, majoring in oils, graphite and ink. Fritz was an excellent woodcarver, enjoyed writing books and poetry.
Surviving is his wife of 32 years, Carolyn (Strack) Mersmann whom he married on August 17, 1979 in Traverse City, Michigan; son, Armin (Valerie Allen.) Mersmann of Midland; step daughter, Cheryl (Gary) Blohm of Pinconning and three generation of their prodigy who called him grandfather. In addition to his parents, Fritz was preceded in death by a step child, Pamela White.
