Merle Amund Olson

Merle Amund Olson, 92, of Blue Earth, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 19 with his loving family by his side.  Funeral Services will be held at 11AM on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church (235 East 7th St. Blue Earth, MN), with Rev. Jeanette Bidne presiding.  Visitation will be from 6-8PM on Friday, August 24, 2018 at Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service (400 E. 14^th St. Blue Earth, MN) and one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery immediately following the service.  Online condolences may be left at www.pattonfh.com.

Merle was born November 4, 1925, the son of Leo and Beulah Olson in Randall, Iowa.

He met the love of his life, Beverly Evans, 73 years ago and married her on September 12, 1948, after returning from a short enlistment in the Navy where he served as a Weatherman’s Mate. Merle and Beverly settled on the family farm near Blue Earth where they were dairy farmers.  Merle always felt service to the community was important. He was on the Faribault County Planning and Zoning Committee; was the Outstanding Young Farmer from Faribault County in 1960 and was also very active in the county’s 4-H program. They also found time to host Minnesota Agricultural Student trainees from foreign countries for over a decade.

 Merle’s Christian strength flooded into every life he touched.  He was active in the church serving numerous years as Sunday School teacher, Deacon, president of Trinity Lutheran Church, member of the Worship and Music Committee and the Gideons.  His Christian faith caused him to reach out to others.  He and Beverly aided two Vietnamese families and fostered 15 children, as a result, they won the Sertoma “Service to Mankind” and Jefferson awards.

Merle and Beverly lived at Goldfinch Estates in Fairmont for 2.5 years before returning to the farm.

Merle is survived by his wife, Beverly; nine children, Karen (James) Gilbertson, Prairie Village, KS, Marlene Olson of Mankato, MN,  Leslie (Jo) Olson of Spring Valley, Beverly (Howard) Belsheim of Sunrise Beach, MO, Merna (Paul) Nelson of Grinnell, IA, Lewis (Carol) Olson of Des Moines, IA, Leo Olson of Blue Earth, Bertha (Andy) Rock of Winnebago, Merle Jr (Ann Marie) Olson of Columbus, WI; 21 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters-in-law, Lois Olson-Okerstrom of Santa Barbara, CA, Barb Olson of Story City, IA, and  Elaine Olson of Story City, IA; numerous nieces and nephews, foster children and many other loving relatives and friends.

Merle is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Amel (Gloria) Olson, Burdette Olson, Richard Olson; nieces, Kristi Elmquist, Carla Penning, and Sharon Olson.