Nina Francine Merten

Nina Francine Merten, 66, of Traverse City passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 after a three month battle with an aggressive cancer. It was Nina's wish to be home with family on Bass Lake, and she was happily able to watch two beautiful sunsets there before passing.

Nina was born on October 1, 1957 in Detroit, MI to the late Raymond James Sr. and Phoebe (Culver) Collins. Her family moved to Traverse City when Nina was 6 years old, and she has been rooted there ever since. She graduated from Traverse City Senior High School, now Traverse City Central, in the Class of 1975. She graduated from Central Michigan University in the class of 1979 and, a proud Blue Devil, Nina graduated from Duke University School of Law in the class of 1982. Nina was a practicing attorney in the state of Michigan, and was also sworn into the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1986 in a private ceremony lead by then-House Representative Guy Vander Jagt.

Nina began her legal career in Traverse City at the law firm Running, Wise and Wilson. She eventually moved to the firm Blakeslee & Chambers and later worked at the prosecutor's office. However, the majority of Nina's career was spent as the attorney guardian ad litem for Grand Traverse County. For 20+ years, Nina served as the attorney representing abused and neglected children in the area. Nina was the first person to serve in this position and was integral in developing the role that continues to give these children a voice in the court system.

For her dedication and commitment to her work, Nina was the recipient of a variety of awards, including the Humanitarian Award from Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan, Inc. in 2000. Nina was also one of the first female attorneys in the Traverse City area and shared her experience with various women's groups. In 2009, Nina was named Woman of the Year by the Zonta Club of Traverse City for her "excellence in, and contributions to improving the status of women."

Throughout her career, she continued to be an active member of both the Michigan Bar Association and the Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association. She also served on the Traverse City Central High School Hall of Fame committee for more than 15 years. She was a member of the Munson Foundation Board and an active member of Central United Methodist Church. Nina was also an avid volunteer at the Old Town Playhouse and for the Traverse City Central music programs.

In September 1989, Nina married her adored Charles "Topper" Carey who she lost to cancer early in 1994. She then met Stephen James Merten and his young son Christopher who had also lost their beloved wife and mom, Robin Dopke, to cancer around that same time. Although neither anticipated marrying again, the three eventually fell in love and Steve and Nina were married on August 5, 1995. Together the two lovingly raised Christopher, and their daughter, Cassidy.

Nina's passions included Duke basketball, harmonizing with her siblings, traveling the world (especially to Ireland with her family), celebrating St. Patrick's Day and hosting family gatherings. Her favorite place was on her deck on Bass Lake, a home that was built by her grandfather and has been in the family for over 60 years. Nina was known as a favorite aunt and an incredibly devoted friend – one friend noted that if we "measure by the lives she touched and the quality and depth of her relationships, she was the richest person he ever knew."

Nina is survived by her husband, Steve, of almost 30 years, her children Christopher and Cassidy Merten, her sisters Phoebe "Lorrie" Collins DeVol, Rosemarie Brown, Marion (Larry) Fay, and a large number of wonderful first-, second- and third-generation nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her late husband Topper, Steve's late wife Robin, her brother Raymond James Collins Jr., her brother-in-law William Brown and her niece Morgan Collins.

Visitation will be held from 4-7pm at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Friday, March 22, 2024. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 11am at Central United Methodist Church with a visitation beginning one hour prior. Graveside services will be held at 2pm at Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Nina's Memorial Giving Page at The V Foundation for Cancer Research, Click Here

Kindly share thoughts and memories with her family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .