Selmer Mardell Olson November 16th, 1932 - September 20, 2016 Selmer Mardell Olson, of Clarkfield, died on Tuedsay, September 20, 2016, at the Clarkfield Care Center at the age of 83. Funeral services will be Monday, September 26, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at Clarkfield Lutheran Church with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 25, 2016, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Lynner Funeral Home in Clarkfield and will continue at the church one hour prior to the service. Selmer Mardell Olson was born in Clarkfield, MN on November 16, 1932, to Selmer J. and Lyla (Sack) Olson. He was baptized at home on December 19, 1932, and confirmed at Clarkfield Lutheran Church in 1947. Mardell graduated from Clarkfield High School in 1950. Following high school he attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls before joining the U.S. Navy in 1952. He served in the U.S. Navy until 1956. He attended Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis and it was there he met his future wife, Shirley Bailey. They were married October 20, 1957, at American Lutheran Church in Webster, South Dakota. They had five children together: Paula, Valerie, Patricia, Sheldon and Marlene. Mardell worked on the farm with his father until he took a position with AGP in Dawson. He retired from his job of Chief Engineer at AGP in 1997 and returned to farming with his son Sheldon. Mardell was an active member of Clarkfield Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday School, serving as a deacon and singing in the choir. He also served as treasurer of Tyro Township for many years and was a member of the American Legion in Clarkfield. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; children: Paula (Doug) Border of Boyd, Valerie (Craig) Giles of Clarkfield, Patricia Wickert of New Brighton, Sheldon Olson (friend Trish Lien) of Clarkfield and Marlene Debban of Bloomington; grandchildren: Chris Border, Justin, Daniel, Scott and Olivia Wilson, Shawn Giles, Faith, Rhian and Joslyn Debban; sister, Lois Lynner of Clarkfield; sister-in- law, Cynitha Olson of Virginia Beach, VA; and many other nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Cecil Olson; a niece, Kristi Lynner; a nephew, Gregg Olson; and brother-in-law, Jack Lynner. Mardell was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He will be greatly missed. Blessed be his memory. Funeral Service Monday, September 26, 2016, 10:00 a.m. Clarkfield Lutheran Church, Clarkfield, Minnesota Clergy Officiating, Rev. Mark Wilms Organist, Lynn Wilms Special Music, Lynn Lutz and Mary Bloom "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" Casket Bearers Chris Border ~ Justin Wilson Daniel Wilson ~ Shawn Giles John Lynner ~ Paul Bailey Honorary Casket Bearers Olivia Wilson ~ Faith Debban Rhian Debban ~ Joslyn Debban Final Resting Place Clarkfield Lutheran Cemetery Clarkfield, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota