Mary "Dolly" L. (Esliger) Ogdahl

Mary L. “Dolly” Ogdahl, age 94 of Glenwood, died on Thursday March 26, 2020 at Glenwood Retirement Village. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions, private family services will be held, with burial in Barsness Lutheran Cemetery, rural Glenwood. After the restrictions limiting public gatherings are lifted, a public memorial service will be announced. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood. 

Mary Lorraine Esliger, the daughter of Clement and Pearl (Fortune) Esliger was born July 11, 1925 in Springfield, Massachusetts. She grew up in Groveton, New Hampshire, along with her three siblings, Kay, William, and Betty. Mary was a 1943 graduate of Groveton High School. From childhood on, Mary was known by the nickname, Dolly.

On April 5, 1945, Mary was united in marriage to Julian Ogdahl in Glenwood. The two met out East when Julian was on shore leave from the U.S. Navy. Following their marriage, Dolly and Julian made their home in Glenwood, where Dolly worked at Wimpy’s Lunch Counter and Julian got a job with the Soo Line Railroad. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Sandra and Tony. Once their children were older, Dolly went to work at Ben Franklin in Glenwood, where she was employed for 40 years. Dolly and Julian shared 70 years of marriage before he died April 2, 2016.

Dolly enjoyed dancing, traveling, playing card games and Scrabble, writing poetry, and of course, spending time with family. She was also an avid photographer. Dolly volunteered at the Pope County Clothes Closet and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Dolly will be remembered for her photography, writing of poetry, and her passion for family.

Dolly is survived by her daughter, Sandra Mielke of Ely, MN; son, Tony (Bonnie) Ogdahl of Willmar; 5 grandsons, Joel (special friend Suzanne), Paul (Tina), Brian (Crystal), Scott (Erin) and Chad (Heather); 10 great-grandchildren, Aaron, Amber, Donovan, Cassandra, Easton, Amelia, Zachary, Kelyn, Sydney and Crosby; sister, Kay (Art) Roberge; brother-in-law, Clifford Ogdahl of Glenwood; sister-in-law, Eleanor Ogdahl of Glenwood; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Julian; son-in-law, Sherman Mielke; a grandson in infancy, David Mielke; a brother, William Esliger; and a sister, Betty Hogg.

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