William Merton Nellis

On December 19th, 2024, we lost a kind and generous father, grandfather and friend at the age of 99. 

Mert was born on March 2, 1925 in St. Paul, MN to Wm. Minter and Hattie Nellis. Mert grew up on the Iron Range in Nashwauk, MN with older sister Betty and younger brother Rollin. Growing up, Mert was a drummer in the Nashwauk Marching Band and dance bands. Mert obtained a license as an amateur radio (QRP) operator (call sign WØUFO) at age 16. 

After graduating from Nashwauk High School, Mert enlisted in reserve officer training through the Navy’s V-12 Program at the University of Minnesota and obtained a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University. Mert served in the Navy at the end of WWII (stationed in Guam) and was a Naval Reserve officer for over 40 years. 

After his undergraduate studies and active-duty service, Mert married his first wife, Maxine Kangas, in Nashwauk and they moved to Michigan for Mert to take a teaching position in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Michigan State University where he concurrently received a master’s degree.

Mert was a lifelong learner, inventor, and teacher. He was a private pilot and flew his Cessna 182 for business and family trips. He had several patents and founded Mag-Con Engineering, which designed and manufactured custom transformers and magnetic controls. Mert was an integral member of the QRP (ham radio) community as a friend and mentor to many, sharing his knowledge through published articles and lectures, attending FDIM and OzarkCon for over 25 years, and participating in QRP contests. Mert spent many years operating Ham radio at his cabin in Finlayson, MN, where he and his second wife, Joyce Menne Nellis, spent a lot of time. 

Mert enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, bee keeping, tinkering, and socializing with friends and family. He enjoyed taking canoe trips to the BWCA in northern Minnesota, as a Boy Scout and later in life with friends and family. Mert played music as the drummer for the Rebels at Greenhouse Village Cooperative Senior Living Community in concerts in Roseville, MN.

Preceded in death by his first wife, Maxine Kangas Nellis, and his second wife, Joyce Menne Nellis. 

Mert is survived by children from his first marriage: daughter, Melissa; sons, William Morrey (Carol Sersland) and Franklin Kent (Ann Chambers) of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Margit Nellis (Morgan Scheper), Alison Van Gorp (Tam Ly), Emily Van Gorp, John Davin Nellis, and Callie Nellis; great-grandchildren, Marlot and Morgan Van Ly; nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Memorial service 11:00 AM Thursday, January 30 at Mueller-Bies Funeral Home-Roseville, 2130 N. Dale Street @ County Rd B. Visitation from 10-11 AM. A luncheon will be held following the service from 12 to 4 pm at Cedarholm Community Building, 2323 Hamline Ave N. Roseville.  Private interment.  

A Celebration of life will be held in the spring at the Finlayson United Methodist Church. 

Memorials to the charity of your choice.