Merlin Alfred Olsen

Merlin A. Olson, 87 of Esko passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 7, 2014 in Inter-Faith Care Center in Carlton. He was born November 28, 1926 in Montevideo to Alfred and Mahle Olson. When Merlin was a young boy his family moved to East Lake. Merlin served in the Army during WWII. After the war he returned to Montevideo and on July 10, 1951 he married Stella Ann Hamre. They made their home in Esko where together they raised three children. Merlin worked at Wood Conversion, Northwest Paper and retired from Potlatch in 1988. In recognition of his military service, Merlin received an honorary diploma from the McGregor High School. Merlin was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, the Potlatch Quarter Century Club, and the Cloquet VFW. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, carpentry work, John Deere tractors, snowmobiling, listening to polka music, watching the Twins, and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. After his retirement, Merlin and Stella Ann enjoyed wintering in Mission, Texas. He also enjoyed the jam sessions they had there. Merlin was preceded in death by one brother, Reynold; one sister, Evelyn Eigsberg; one granddaughter, Amy Olson; and his faithful canine companion, Tucker. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Stella Ann; daughter, Jane (Dennis) Comfort of Superior; sons, Jim Olson of Wrenshall and Jeff (Marisa) Olson of Carlton; seven grandchildren, Angela (Dan) Droen, Andrea (Gary) Soldwisch, Ryan (Amy) Calore, Brent (Anna) Calore, Eric (Ashley Swanson) Calore, Tanya (Chris Woshj) Finifrock, and Lindsey (David) Cadotte; and 10 great grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 11th in Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Cloquet. A time of lunch and fellowship followed in the church social hall. Burial was in Sandy Lake Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins Northland Funeral Home, Cloquet. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com