Edward "Ed" Mehl

Edward “Ed” Jerome Mehl, 67, a resident of Underwood, passed away on Saturday, July 20, 2013 at the Methodist Hospital in Rochester.

He was born on August 21, 1945 in Breckenridge, Minnesota to Edward and Alma (Anderson) Mehl. He attended St. Mary’s Grade School and graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1963. He attended North Dakota State School of Science and Moorhead State University. He later earned a Master’s degree from the University of Minnesota.

Ed began his career in health care administration at St. Francis Hospital in Breckenridge. He moved to Fergus Falls in 1967 to join the administrative staff of Lake Region Hospital. He served as CEO from 1981 until his retirement in 2007. Lake Region Healthcare’s Mehl Center was named in his honor.

He was a member of Jaycees, Kiwanis, and the Elks, and was active in community affairs serving many organizations such as Fergus Falls Hockey, Port Authority, Progress Fergus Falls, and M State.

Ed was a die-hard Vikings fan, hunter and fisherman, gun enthusiast, and a supporter of school sports. He enjoyed trips with Sue to the Black Hills in their Corvette and time spent with his wonderful neighborhood friends in Underwood. He was a fun-loving father and devoted grandfather.

Ed’s humility, positive attitude and great sense of humor has been and will continue to be an inspiration to many.

He is survived by his beloved wife Sue; sons Jeff (Amy) of Wadena, Chris (Sherri) of Brooklyn Park, and Joe of Sauk Rapids; daughter Jackie (Corey) Ellingson of Forest Lake; step-sons Adam (Shannon) of Flagstaff, AZ, Nathan (Sheri) of Dalton, and Ben Dahlen of Oak Grove; grandchildren Emma, Ruby, Greta, Nora, Ashley, Olivia, Noah, Avery, Jasmine and Jayden; four sisters, Sharon (Ken) Maeckelbergh of White Bear Lake, Cindy Hoglund of Rochester, Monica (Frank) Eldien of Warrensburg, MO, and Marcia Williams (Craig Raguse) of Fergus Falls, and a brother Mike (Tosca) of Medford, OR; brothers-in-law David Larsen and John Larsen; sisters- in- law Karen Lawrence and Judy Laliberte; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Dean Hoglund.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Lake Region Healthcare Cancer Care and Research Center.

Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service. (Vikings attire is encouraged.)
Memorial Service: 11 a.m. Monday, July 29, 2013, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Fergus Falls.
Clergy: Father Joe Korf and Deacon Chuck Kampa
Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.