Merlin “Dugar” Osmonson passed away peacefully at his home in Harmony, Minn., on Friday, July, 4, 2025, surrounded by family.
Born February 21, 1934, in Austin, Minn., to Rufus and Velda (Boe) Osmonson, Dugar (Dugs, Duggie) attended Austin High School, after which he joined the United States Marine Corps, proudly serving as a corporal in the Korean War.
After the war, Dugar returned to Austin, marrying Victoria Ann Auer. Together, they welcomed two children, Bradley and Lori. Dugar worked at Hormel and remained busy around the home farm, taking great pride in it. In his retirement years, he enjoyed working at Gerard School and visiting with the kitchen staff and kids.
Throughout his life, Dugar enjoyed the outdoors and shared this passion with his children and grandchildren. He especially enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening (even the occasional artificial flower finding itself planted in his yard and the yards of his loved ones). Later in life, he was rarely without a beloved canine companion: two Mollys and a Lucy, each spoiled more than its predecessor, with love reserved only for him.
After his move to Harmony, he could usually be found having breakfast at one of the local cafés with anyone willing to go, or touring the town on his electric scooter with his trusted companion Lucy.
Dugar was preceded in death by his parents, wife Victoria in 1985, brothers Donald, Lowell, Duane, Errol, Erling and Ronald; sisters Dorothy Owens and Marilyn Wead, and his dear friend Helen Matyas.
He is survived by his son Bradley (Sheri) Osmonson, Harmony, Minn., daughter Lori (Dennis) Jones, Austin, Minn., grandchildren, Eric (Katie) Osmonson, Lansing, Iowa, Jon (Laurie) Jones, Minneapolis, Minn., Joshua (Amber) Jones, Austin, Minn., Nathan Osmonson, Harmony, Minn., Amber Osmonson, Harmony, Minn., Mandy (Dave) Blagsvedt, Mabel, Minn., and Mindy (Domingo) Kingsley, Harmony, Minn.; 15 great-grandchildren, brothers Jim Osmonson, Oakland, Minn., and Craig Osmonson, Albert Lea, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary, with the Reverend Dale Christiansen officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour before the service on Thursday. Interment will be in Oakland Midway Lutheran Cemetery with the Austin American Legion Post #91 and Olaf B. Damm Post #1216, V.F.W. in charge of military rites.
Memorials may be sent to the Mower County Humane Society.
Linda Rosema says
Dearest Brad, Lori and families, we are thinking of you all and sending our deepest sympathy at this very sad time. Dugar was one of the best, so fun growing up, leaving us with so many good memories, and always trying to connect when we have been back to visit family.
We have all been blessed to have Dugar in our lives, he was such a great patriot and role model who leaves a wonderful legacy for us all. We wish you all comfort and loving memories to hold in your hearts forever.
We wish we could attend the memorial, our hearts will be with you when we are following our grandson Nick performing in Texas with his drum corp.
Sending all of our love and prayers to you all,
Linda & John