Updated: Charles Mertensotto, Former Mendota Heights Mayor, Dies at 83

Former Mendota Heights Mayor Charles (Chuck) Mertensotto died Tuesday, Oct. 24 of cancer, according to his family. He was 83 years old.

Mertensotto served the city as mayor for 16 years, eight consecutive terms. Before that, he served on the city council for 14 years.

Over that time, he oversaw the transformation of the city from a rural town to the first-ring, fully developed suburb it is today.

“Besides being a great dad and husband, he absolutely loved this city and wanted to see it develop and grow, and he’s very proud of it,” said his daughter Lynn Mertensotto Girouard, a Mendota Heights resident.

Former council member Jill Smith worked with Mertensotto for eight years, and became a close friend. “I’ve always had a lot of respect for him,” said Smith. “I always felt he approached the city issues and his work with complete integrity and commitment.”

Mertensotto was born in New Ulm, MN and attended Holy Trinity School. He and his wife Arlean moved to Mendota Heights in 1959, where they raised two daughters, Lynn and Sandy Novitzki of Eagan; and one son, Robert, who lives in Houston, TX.

The couple wintered in Fort Myers, FL and celebrated their 60th anniversary in June.

Mertensotto received his chemical engineering undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota. He worked as an engineer for Univac before going back to night school at William Mitchell College of Law, where he received his law degree.

Mertensotto continued to practice law up until recently, said Girouard.

He was a founding member of the Dakota County Library Foundation, and served on the Metropolitan Aircraft Sound Abatement Council, according to son-in-law and his colleague at the law firm, Tom Novitzki.

"He was a man of many talents and knowledge on many topics," said Novitzki.

Mayor Sandra Krebsbach served on the council along with Mertensotto from 1992-2002, and credited him with the development of a number of the residential neighborhoods including Copperfield and Augusta Shores, as well as and the industrial park. Krebsbach also credited Mertensotto with setting the foundation for what was to become The Village of Mendota Heights off of Dodd Road and Highway 110.

“He will be missed; He was a very active resident,” Krebsbach said.

Smith said that he was “devoted” to the city. “Whether you agreed with him or not, one of the things I always respected him for was he always approached things with what he thought was in the best interest of the community.”

A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at Church of the Assumption, 51 7th Street West, St. Paul. Visitation 4-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 at O’Halloran & Murphy, 575 South Snelling Avenue, St. Paul and one hour prior to Mass.