Loretta Ann Mehrer, 80, Mott, died Saturday, July 11, 2026 surrounded by family at Benedictine Living Community, Dickinson. Loretta’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9 a.m., Friday, July 17, 2026 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Mott, with Fr. Dennis Schafer as celebrant. Interment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a Rosary and Vigil at 6 p.m. with Deacon Ben Auch presiding. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Friday.
Loretta Ann Senger was born September 4, 1945, in Dodge, to Valentine and Martha (Schumacher) Senger. Loretta had many siblings: Frank (Margaret “Peggy” Ament), Anton (Mary Plotzki), Nick (Helen Funk), Mary (Nick Halter), Stephina (Joseph Bosch), Jacob “Jake” (Deanna Wanner), Katherine “Kate” (Joseph Frederick & Chris Zeece), Caroline “Carol” (John Ehresmann), and Gladys (David Lawrence). The Sengers farmed near Dodge until 1963, then bought a house in the town of Dodge. Loretta went to school in Dodge, graduating high school in 1964. After high school, she attended Jack’s Hairstylists College in Bismarck. After Beauty School, she moved to Dickinson and worked at a beauty salon. In 1965, through mutual friends, she met Gilbert Mehrer of Mott. They married on July 2, 1966, at St. Martin’s Church in Dodge. The couple lived on Gilbert’s family farm the first year of their marriage, then moved into town, renting a small house in “West Mott” for $60 a month. They started their family while in this house. Carvel, Dee Edra, Eldon, Eric, Stewart and Roxanne all lived in the little house. In 1977, they bought the original William Weidenbach Home in “West Mott”, and the youngest child Natalie was soon added to the family.
In the earlier years of family life, Loretta worked for Molly DeLapointe at Molly’s Beauty Shop. As the years went by, she did other jobs to support the family. She worked at the Mott Nursing Home, delivered local newspaper bundles to area communities, helped at Larry’s Meat Processing, was the caretaker of St. Vincent’s Catholic School, Rectory and Parish for many years. She and Gilbert also ran a pheasant cleaning business at that time. Loretta enjoyed the pheasant business. They met interesting people from around the world. She made and sold beautiful decorative wreaths and artwork from the pheasant (and even a few turkey) feathers. Loretta always cut, colored, and permed the kids’ and Gilbert’s hair. After her retirement from St. Vincent’s, Loretta decided she missed her hairstylist days. She passed the State Cosmetology Boards and got re-licensed. She then worked at Margaret’s Beauty Salon in Mott, and traveled to area nursing homes, cutting and styling residents’ hair.
Loretta had sprawling gardens and flowers at the West Mott House. Being next to the river, chokecherries were in abundance. The 7 kids picked bucketfuls and their mother would make jelly and of course her (in)famous chokecherry wine! The family also made and bottled homemade root beer. Canning the garden bounty was a must! There were giant pumpkins for future pies, cucumbers for pickles and her “red ring cukes”, and tomatoes for salsa, (we don’t talk about that year she tried a new recipe called “green tomato pie”). Loretta also often baked bread and sweet treats like Kuchen when the kids were young. In later years, the kids and their families always received a box of Mom’s homemade goodies as Christmas gifts. This was of more value than any storebought gift ever received. Loretta was also known for her potato salads, 7-layer salad, and cheesecake dessert. Loretta enjoyed Old Time Music and dancing, she was even known to do the chicken dance! Gilbert and Loretta attended as many of their children’s, grandchildren’s and extended families’ milestone moments as their health would allow.
In 1997, West Mott flooded. Gilbert and Loretta had to say goodbye to the home they raised their family in. They then bought a brand-new modular home and placed it on the other side of Mott. She had a much smaller garden and flower bed, rhubarb, and an apple tree. Gilbert and Loretta also took pity on a few neighborhood stray cats and fed them well from the patio.
The Mehrer family were members of St. Vincent’s Catholic Parish. Loretta was active in the Catholic Daughters of America. The CDA ladies held many luncheons, the Fall Bazaar, and the famous soup and strudel dinners. Gilbert was a 4th degree Knight of Columbus. A Catholic education was important, and all 7 children attended St. Vincent’s Catholic School (which went to 8th grade). The family served as rosary leaders, altar servers, gift bearers, and other liturgical ministries. The Catholic Faith was Loretta’s stronghold. She had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother. The Rosary was precious and powerful to Loretta, even clinging to it in her last moments. She knew the Blessed Mother brings us to Jesus!
Family holidays and Sunday dinners were frequent and plentiful. Loretta especially loved preparing and decorating for Christmas and Easter. Gilbert and Loretta enjoyed card parties with friends and family. There were many family fishing trips. Loretta was known to catch the most and the biggest fish with her trusty old blue Zebco 202 rod and reel. There was a 5th season in the Mehrer household called Hunting Season. Loretta was up early making sandwiches and coffee for the days’ hunting adventure. She often went along for the ride, but other times stayed home to prepare evening meals. She stayed up late with the hunting party to help process the deer and pheasants and make sausage. She coined the phrase “More pepper! More garlic!”
Loretta took great pride in her family, faith, and her appearance. She never liked to leave the house without fixing her hair and makeup and wearing a nice outfit. It was not about vanity, but rather self-respect and dignity.
In June of 2025, due to declining health, both Loretta and Gilbert moved to Dickinson, residing at Benedictine Living Community. Loretta was a strong woman. She fought many treacherous health battles over the years. She remained steadfast in her faith, even in her last days. Loretta met The Lord on July 11th, 2026. She is survived by her devoted husband of 60 years, Gilbert, their 7 children: Carvel, Hettinger, DeeEdra (Eugene) Strehlow, Hettinger, Eldon (Rachel) Dickinson, Eric (Jen), Detroit Lakes, MN, Stewart (Kristine), Dickinson, Roxanne (Sheldon) Beard, Rock Springs, WY, and Natalie (Redgi) Heupel, Dickinson.
Loretta and Gilbert have 17 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, plus one on the way. Loretta is survived by one sister Kate, and one sister-in-law, Deanna.
Proverbs 31:25
She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs at the days to come.