Merlyn Overvig

Merlyn J. Overvig, age 88 of River Falls, passed away at his home with his wife by his side on Wednesday, December 28, 2022.  He was born on May 18, 1934 on a farm in Grant County, South Dakota to Benhardt and Tena (nee Herfindahl) Overvig.

He graduated in 1952 from Marietta, MN High School. Merlyn joined the United States Army during the Korean War. He worked in the Security Agency as a cryptanalyst in Alaska. He was honorably discharged in November of 1955.

Merlyn attended the University of Minnesota Duluth and University of Minnesota, working the summers in Montana. He joined MnDot in 1958 and retired from there in 1994. He was an engineering specialist working as a draftsman, instrument man and design squad leader. After retiring from MnDot, Merl obtained his CDL and drove over the road with his brother John. He also drove school bus for the Cumberland School District for several years.

Merlyn married Barbara Holmes in 1957 and from this marriage came two sons, Brian and Eric.  They later divorced.  He married Shirley (Goeser) Lemke on May 25, 1991.

Merlyn was preceded in death by his parents and his brother John Overvig.

He is survived by his wife Shirley; his two sons: Brian (Patsy) Overvig and Eric (Cheryl) Overvig; three step-children: Kris (Rick) Vocovich, Mark (Ronalea) Lemke and Ben Lemke; a sister-in-law, Pam Overvig; ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Collin and Ada.

A celebration of life will be held on May 18, 2023 at Rush River Lutheran Church in River Falls, WI.