Merl Lynton Olson of Ashby, MN passed away peacefully in his sleep Monday, October 28, 2014 at the Prairie Ridge Hospital in Elbow Lake, MN at the age of 91 years.
He was born to Paul and Dora (Nelson) Olson on July 24, 1923 in Erdahl Township, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at the Presbyterian Church in Evansville. He attended the Evansville Schools and graduated in 1940. He farmed with his dad until he started working at the Equity in Ashby, MN.
On August 31, 1946 he married Dorothy Shores at the Federated Church in Fergus Falls, MN. They farmed, and then he was manager of service stations in Bagley, MN, Twin Valley, MN and Oklee, MN. In 1953, they moved back to Ashby and Merl started trucking which he did for 30 plus years working for International Transport out of Rochester, MN, Gerald Evenson Inc. of Pelican Rapids, MN and finally with Ro-Banks Tool & Mfg Company out of Wahpeton, ND. Merl and Dorothy retired in Ashby. He was a member of The Presbyterian Church in Ashby and served as a ruling elder. He was a long time member of the Eagles Club in Fergus Falls MN.
Merl especially enjoyed his grand and great grand kids, old time music, and visiting with friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Dora Olson and his brother Virgil Olson.
He was survived by his wife Dorothy of 68 years; three sons Donald (Tina) Olson, Gary (Gail) Olson and Danny Olson; six grandchildren, Melissa Olson, Tyler (Tami) Olson, Derek Olson, Amanda (Justin) Heersink, Nicholas (Megan) Olson and Nicole Olson; eleven great-grandchildren, Riley, Ramsey, Reed, Reece, Ashton, Henry, Tatum, Brynn, Silas, Rysten and Abraham; his sisters, Verla Forbes of Summerville, SC and Elaine (Andy) Anderson of Ashby;Three sister-in-laws, Lorraine Olson of Ashby, Alice (Lenny) Hervas of Green Bay, WI, Rose Shores of Evansville, MN and numerous nieces and nephews.
Blessed be the memory of Merl Lynton Olson.
Graveside Service: 2:00 P.M., Saturday, November 1, 2014, at the Pelican Lake Cemetery in Ashby, MN.
Officiating: Pastor Tom Junkert
Funeral arrangements are with the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Ashby