Merlin O. Overlie

Obituary

Merlin Orvie Overlie was born on October 5, 1928, in Butternut, Minnesota. He was the son of Ole and Mabel (Nelson) Overlie. He was baptized as an infant at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Butternut, Minnesota, and later confirmed in his faith as a youth at Lincoln Lutheran Church in Blue Earth County, Minnesota. Merlin received his education in Lake Crystal and was a graduate with the Lake Crystal High School class of 1947. He then furthered his education at Dunwoody Institute for 18 months.

Merlin entered active military service in the United States Army on January 15, 1951, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and he served his country during the Korean War. He received an Honorable Discharge on January 20, 1953, at Camp Carson in Colorado, and achieved the rank of PFC (T).

On August 28, 1954, Merlin was united in marriage to Arlene Polzin at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Auburn, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with three daughters, Merlene, Sharon, and Denise. Merlin and Arlene resided in Lake Crystal and Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. They later moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota in 1962. They shared 59 years of marriage until the passing of Arlene on February 5, 2014. After Arlene’s passing, Merlin lived in the Greencastle Condominiums in Hutchinson. He then moved to the Ecumen Oaks in Hutchinson until moving to the Ecumen Lakeview Commons in Maplewood, Minnesota.

Merlin was employed as a Maintenance Electrician at 3M until his retirement in 1993. He was a lifelong member of the VFW Post 7266 in New Auburn, Minnesota, and a life member at the American Legion Post 96 in Hutchinson. Merlin was also a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hutchinson.

Merlin enjoyed working on old radios, square dancing, and playing cards. Merlin also enjoyed traveling with his family and one of his most memorable trips was to Europe. He cherished the time spent with his family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends.

Merlin passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at Healtheast St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood, Minnesota, at the age of 91 years. Blessed be his memory.

Merlin is survived by his:
Daughters, Merlene Lieder and her husband, Paul, of Mahtomedi, MN,
                     Denise Burfiend and her husband, Lawrence, of St. Paul, MN,
                     Sharon Hahn and her husband, Martin, of Nashville, TN;
Grandchildren, Reverend Daniel Burfiend and his wife, Roseli, Matthew Lieder and his wife, Caroline, Joshua Lieder and his wife, Sarah, and Maria Grabner and her husband, Josh;
Great-Grandchildren, Theodore, Samuel, Peter, Cory, Lydia, William, Aspen, and Benjamin;
Brother, Donald Overlie and his wife, Barb, of Lake Crystal, MN;
Sister, Marian Knudtson of St. Louis, MO;
Many other relatives and friends

Merlin is preceded in death by his Parents, Ole and Mabel Overlie; Wife, Arlene Overlie; Sister, Elaine Rode and her husband, Arthur; Brother, Arlyn Overlie in infancy; and Brother-in-law, Obed Knudtson.