Murph Eliason

Murph Eliason, age 83, of Willmar, died unexpectedly Monday afternoon, Oct. 21, in Willmar.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar.  Interment will be in the church cemetery with military honors provided by the Willmar American Legion Post #167.  Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the church on Monday.  Arrangements by Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. ( www.petersonbrothers.com )

Merwyn “Murph” Richard Eliason was born on May 25, 1936, in Willmar, Minnesota, the son of Carleton and Mildred (Fostervold) Eliason.  He grew up and received his education in Willmar.  After high school graduation in 1954, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  Over the years, Murph worked in the sheet metal trade for Chappel Central, the Alaska pipeline, the U.S. Government at missile sites in North Dakota, St. Cloud Refrigeration and retired from Harris Mechanical.  He was a proud member of the Sheet Metals Local #10 Union and member of Calvary Lutheran Church.  His hobbies included hunting and fishing, attending races at the KRA and surrounding areas and being a member of the pit crew for #38J team.

He is survived by his loving wife, Janet of Willmar; two children, Michele Magnuson of Hastings and Mike Eliason (and Lisa Nelson) of Pennock; six step-children, Michelle (and Roy) Nielson of Willmar, Shawn (and Jan) Nelson of Cosmos, Jason (and Reney) Vejtruba of Atwater, Denise Halvorson of Northfield, Danette (and Eric) Hendrickson of Sacred Heart, Dawn Preslicka of Willmar and Deena Hillenbrand of Blomkest; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Also surviving are three sisters, JoAnn (and Bruce) Amundson of Shoreline, WA., Beverly Emberland of Lawrence, KS., and Lorraine (and Robert) Nelson of New London, besides other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary Lou; great grandson, Jamison Eliason; sister, Lucy Schmidt; step-son, Ramon Nelson; and step grandson, Cory Nelson.