A. Erlandson

A. Merle Erlandson, 74, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Friday, October 19, 2007 at his home of complications of Multiple Myloma. He was surrounded by his family and under the care of Lakeland Hospice. He was born September 16, 1933, in Fergus Falls, the son of Arthur and Palma (Rovang) Erlandson. He grew up on the family farm in Aastad Township, and attended rural school in the Bergerud District #1447. He was baptized and confirmed in the Aastad Lutheran Church. Following his father's death in 1948 he took over the farming operation, where he farmed for the next 31 years. On October 26, 1957, he married Janis Bjorgaard at Zion Lutheran Church in Amor. Together they lived and farmed the family farm in Aastad Township. Merle's church, school and community were very important to him and he served in many capacities. In 1980 he suffered a heart attack and had open heart surgery. He quit farming and during the 1980's worked for Christian Inc. in Elbow Lake, a job he thoroughly enjoyed for 12 years. In 1992 due to declining health he was placed on the Heart Transplant list at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. Merle and Janis moved to Fergus Falls in 1996 to be near medical facilities. On June 7, 1997, Merle received a new heart. The transplant was a great success. He was able to personally meet and thank the whole wonderful family of Frank Karles of Ortonville, MN for the gift of life. He shared many special times with Frank's widow, Pauline and children Sarah and Scott, as well as Frank's father and eleven of his brothers and sisters and families. Merle loved people and enjoyed coming and going, visiting and spending time with family, friends, and complete strangers. Preceding him in death were his parents and his father-in-law, Oscar Bjorgaard. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Janis; one daughter, Sharon (George) Nelson of Ashby; two sons: Alan (Sandy) Erlandson and Wayne (Dayna) Erlandson all of Fergus Falls; and eight grandchildren who were the light of his life: Bobbie, Stephanie and Jenna Nelson, Aaron, Evan and Jesse Erlandson, and Abby and Matthew Erlandson. He is also survived by a sister, Irene (Darrell) Meis of Fergus Falls; his mother-in-law Dorothy Bjorgaard of Fergus Falls; brothers-in-law Lowell (Lois) Bjorgaard and Robert (Karen) Bjorgaard of Battle Lake; three nieces and five nephews. Visitation: 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 2 p.m. Wednesday at Aastad Lutheran Church, rural Fergus Falls Clergy:     Reverend Dan Cole Interment: Aastad Church Cemetery Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Memorials are preferred to Lakeland Hospice in Fergus Falls. Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com