Gary Erlandson

Gary D. Erlandson, 70, a resident of Wendell, died Friday, April 29, 2011, at his home, under the care of Lakeland Hospice. The son of Edwin and Ruth (Haarstad) Erlandson, he was born November 30, 1940, at home in Aastad Township of Otter Tail County, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Aastad Lutheran Church where he was a lifetime member. He served on the church council and was Treasurer of the Aastad Cemetery Fund. Gary attended rural School District #157, Morris Ag School, and graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1958. He was a member of the Aastad 4-H Club and enjoyed football and wrestling while at Morris Ag School. He was in the U.S. Army Reserves serving during the Berlin Crisis, and was a member of the Wendell and Ashby Legion Posts. Gary spent 35 years as a heavy equipment operator for various construction companies, before retiring in 1996. Preceding him in death were his son, Ronald, his parents, and his mother and father-in-law, Chester and Elsie Knudson. Survivors include his wife, Barbara; a daughter, Deborah (Todd) Moeller of Moorhead; sons, Douglas Erlandson of Wendell, and Kevin (Laura) Erlandson of Elbow Lake; granddaughters Tess and Megan Moeller; and brothers, Arlan, Russell (Carol), and Marcus Erlandson.  Memorials are preferred to the Aastad Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund or Lakeland Hospice. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service, and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2011, at Aastad Lutheran Church, rural Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Dan Cole Interment: Aastad Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fergus Falls Military Participation by the American Legion Post #357 Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls