Meri Jo Lonergan

Meri Jo Lonergan passed away peacefully on her 83rd birthday, October 13th, 2025, at Spring Valley Care Center in Spring Valley, Minnesota. Born Meri Joelle Haugen on October 13th, 1942, in Osage, Iowa, she was the daughter of Gordon and Lois (Dean) Haugen. Meri Jo graduated from Osage Community High School and began her career at Farm Bureau in Osage. On September 1st, 1962, Meri Jo married William “Bill” Lonergan, Jr. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Osage, Iowa. Together, Bill and Meri Jo farmed near Rose Creek and Austin, Minnesota for many years. After raising their family, Meri Jo worked at Roberts Specialty and Ferrel Gas. A devoted member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Austin, Minnesota, Meri Jo sang in the choir and served in Ladies Aid. She found joy in sewing, quilting, and cooking.

Meri Jo is survived by her loving husband, William Lonergan, Jr., who resides at Spring Valley Care Center; their children, Kelly (Blair) Bergstrom of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Kim (Ted) Frank of rural Dexter, Minnesota, Jeff (Renee) Lonergan of rural Austin, Minnesota, Kris (Pat) Mullenbach of rural Adams, Minnesota, and Steve (Melissa) Lonergan of rural Lyle, Minnesota; 18 grandchildren; 37 (soon to be 40) great-grandchildren; sisters, Coralie (Arnie) Nomann of Viroqua, Wisconsin, Ann Nelson of La Crosse, Wisconsin; and sister-in-law, Darlene Schottler of New Prague, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother-in-law, Al Nelson.

Meri Jo will be remembered for her kindness, her devotion to family and faith, and the warmth she brought to all who knew her.

A Celebration of Life for Meri will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1st at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1200 13th Ave. NW in Austin, Minnesota. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.