Merlyn Jack Iversen

Merlyn D. "Jack" Iversen, 78, of Fergus Falls, died Wednesday, January 30, 2008, at his home on Pebble Lake. He was born March 22, 1929, at St. Luke's Hospital in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the son of Thorvald and Pauline (Eckerman) Iversen. He attended West Central School of Agriculture in Morris, Minnesota, graduating in 1945. On June 12, 1948, he married Kathleen Moen. Their marriage was blessed with five children. Kathleen died December 2, 1989. Jack was in the Highway - Heavy Construction Business from 1948 to 1988. He was a partner in the John Dieseth Company, Soby Construction, Inc.; Soby-Iversen, Inc., and Iversen-Kucera Co. Jack retired in 1988. Jack was secretary of Knollwood Memorial Gardens from 1990 - 2007. He was a member of: Fergus Falls Elks 1093, Cornerstone Masonic Lodge #99, Fergus Falls Chapter No. 27, Alpha Council No. 8, Palestine Commandry No. 14 (Past Commander and Life Member), El Zagel Shrine Temple and Zuhrah Shrine Temple, and the Minnesota Historical Society and Otter Tail County Historical Society (Life Member). He was also a member of Associated General Contractors in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and Iowa. He was an Advertising Specialty Sales Associate for Thomas D. Murphy Company from 1978 - 2000. He was also a member of First Lutheran Church. He married Marjorie (Sund) Hansel November 26, 1992. He loved his home on Pebble Lake, and planted 2000 trees there. He and Marjorie loved to travel, and Jack loved to read. Preceding him in death were his parents, a brother, Keith Iversen, and a stepson, Robert Hansel. Survivors include his wife, Marjorie of Fergus Falls; his five children: Sharon (Roger ) Horton of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin and their children Matthew, Heather, and Ashley Horton, Linda (Jim) Kucera of Fergus Falls and their children Nichola (Mike) Welde, Dylan (Susie) Kucera, Peder (Emily) Kucera and Edward Kucera, Timothy Iversen of Fergus Falls and his children Joseph Sauer and Benjamin Iversen, Mary Iversen of Fergus Falls and her children Samantha VanWechel and Anna VanWechel, and Martin (Molly) Iversen of Battle Lake and their children Marshall and Madeline Iversen; two great-grandchildren: Jack Welde and Andrew Kucera; three stepchildren: Linda (Neil Friedman) Hansel of Albany, CA, and their daughter Marielle Friedman, Brian (Marilyn) Hansel of Dalton, MN, and their children Brooke (Sam) Hintz, John Hansel and Deanna Hansel, and Paula Hansel Allen of Missoula, MT and her daughter Jenna Allen. He is also survived by his sister Gail (Russell) Green of Henning, MN and his brother, Argyle (Nancy) Iversen of Baxter, MN. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, February 7th at the Olson Funeral Home with a 6:30 p.m. Masonic-Shriners Service, and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 11 a.m. Friday, February 8th at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy:     Reverend Matt Philaya and Reverend Stan Larsen Interment: Will be in the spring of 2008 at Knollwood Memorial Gardens in Fergus Falls Funeral Home:     Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Memorials are preferred to the ALS Society, Lakeland Hospice or the donor's choice. Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com