Merlyn Knoll

LIFE HISTORY FOR MERLYN KNOLL
Merlyn Knoll, age 88 of Osakis, formerly of Appleton and Olivia, MN passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014 at his home in Osakis, MN.
On March 18, 1926 Percy 'Pat' and Frances (Maynard) Knoll added a baby son to their family in Appleton, MN. They named him Merlyn Ross and he grew up and graduated from Appleton High School in 1945. That same year Merlyn enlisted in the U S Army and served his country in Colorado and then Alaska with the ski patrol until his honorable discharge in 1947. He then attended college at Mankato State and became an Industrial Arts teacher with a minor in Coaching. He married the love of his life, Lucille Pederson at the Zion Lutheran Church in Appleton on January 7, 1950. Merlyn taught for a time at an Indian Reservation in North Dakota and then decided to resume his studies to complete a master's degree in Counseling. After some time in Balaton and Janesville, MN (where he finished his degree), Merlyn accepted a position as a high school counselor, athletic director and coach in Olivia, MN. He coached tennis, golf, basketball and baseball. In addition to his busy school schedule, Merlyn also found time to raise a family and help as a greens-keeper at the Olivia Golf Club. After a 26 year career at Olivia, Merlyn retired in 1986 and he and Lucille enjoyed being able to retire near Steam Boat Lake in northern Minnesota. They wintered in Arizona for many years and in 1999 bought a home near Lake Osakis, where he currently resided.
Merlyn was a man of many talents which he used throughout his long life. He loved to work with wood and made a side business out of selling many types of wood crafts. He also was a natural athlete and participated in baseball, golfing and bowling. He enjoyed traveling across the country and meeting new people. He liked to play cards, go fishing and spent many hours working in his garden and sharing the surplus with others. He was a kind and caring father, grandpa and brother who will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Left to mourn his passing are his children, Mark (Wendy) Knoll of St. Louis Park, Becky Amsden of Olivia, David (Lisa) Knoll of Goldsboro, NC, Daniel (Julie Wegner) Knoll of Alexandria, Kristin (Eric) Douglas of Roseau; 19 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; two sisters, Peggy Welch of Pensicola, FL and Patty (Gerald) O'Connor of Spicer, MN; many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lucille in 2012; a son, James and two daughters, Katherine & Barbara Knoll; two brothers, Dean and Dale Knoll.
A Celebration of Life service will be held for Merlyn on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 2:00 pm at the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis with Rev. Lindell Quam officiating. His daughter, Kristin will perform the hymn Beautiful Savior. Military honors are provided by the Osakis VFW Honor Guard. A reception follows the service at the Osakis VFW Post #7902 and inurnment is at the Appleton Cemetery in Appleton, MN on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014 at 11:00 am.
Arrangements by the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis, MN.