Floyd Shol

Floyd Charles Shol, 88, of Erhard, died Friday, July 18, 2008, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls.  Floyd was born December 9, 1919, on the family farm in Friberg Township of Otter Tail County, the son of Carl and Tillie (Kugler) Shol. He got his schooling in old District 207 and was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls in 1934. His younger days were spent helping on the home farm until WWII broke out. Eager to do his part, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and wore his uniform with pride throughout the war. His basic training was at the U.S. Naval Base and from there he was stationed in Cape May, New Jersey where he served for 18 months on submarine patrol. Cape May was an airplane base and Floyd was a seaplane mechanic. From there, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Currituck, a seaplane tender and they then left port for the South Pacific. He remained aboard the Currituck until the war ended. He wrote home of the many harrowing experiences including typhoons and narrow misses by suicide bombers. Of the typhoon, he told of the crew spending 48 of the longest, sickest, scariest hours of their lives with winds 100 miles an hour and waves 100 feet high which looked like mountains. They were all sick when it was over and no one could eat a thing for the next two days.   Many times they thought the ship would roll over, but by luck or miracle, they came through it ok. And by luck or miracle, we were all happy to see Floyd come safely home at the wars end in January of 1946.  On April 22, 1946 he married Lorraine H. Long at Sisseton, South Dakota. They farmed the home place for a number of years, then moved to Heilberger Lake where they operated a resort and tavern. Their annual “Turtle Fry” was a feast everyone looked forward to and enjoyed so much! Floyd loved to hunt, fish, feed and watch the birds, work in his shop, garden, and all things of nature. He enjoyed spending time with his best friend and lifelong buddy, Robert Kugler. He also loved to read and was an avid sports fan. His love for candy and sweets earned him the name of “Grandpa Candy” by his grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents; his sisters, Mae Anderson, Myrtle Bauman, Lillian Staff, and Ruby Bachmeier; two brothers, Walt and Cliff; a granddaughter, Debbie Shulstad; two infant children; and a son-in-law, Larry Samuelson. Survivors include his wife, Lorraine, of Erhard; five daughters: Sandy (Delayne) Drechsel of Erhard, Nancy (Allan) Kjono of Elizabeth, Patsy (Norman) Pierce of Fergus Falls, Susan (Gary) Samuelson of Underwood, and Cindy Nickelson of Fergus Falls; two sons: Bruce Shol, and Donnie Shol, both of Erhard; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a brother, Russell (Vivian) Shol of Fergus Falls; a sister, Hazel Magdich of Fergus Falls; a brother-in-law, Ben Bachmeier, and a sister-in-law, Pearl Shol, both of Fergus Falls, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation: 4-6 p.m. Friday, July 25, at the funeral home, and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial Service: 10 a.m. Saturday, July 26, 2008 at Stavanger Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls Clergy:  Reverend Brad Soenksen and Reverend Arlow Hushagen Interment: Stavanger Cemetery, Fergus Falls at a later date Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Military Participation by the Fergus Falls VFW and American Legion   Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com