Edison Harlan Meland

Edison Harlan Meland, 92, Lake Mills, passed away Sunday, May 15, 2016, at the Mayo Clinic Health System, Albert Lea, Minn. A memorial graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 26, at Salem Lutheran Cemetery with Pastor Steven Bang officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Otto Chose Post #235 of Lake Mills.
Edison Harlan Meland was born Jan. 3, 1924, in Lake Mills, to parents Knute and Tillie (Leidal) Meland. His grandparents, John and Emma Leidal were involved in raising both Harlan and his baby brother after the death of their mother in 1934. Harlan was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church, and in later years, truly accepted the Lord as his Savior.
Harlan attended and graduated from Lake Mills High School and went on to attend Waldorf College in Forest City.  He worked at Cool Springs Canning Company and for the Iowa Conservation at Rice Lake prior to being in the military.
On March 25, 1943, Harlan was inducted into the United States Army at Camp Dodge, and he served in Europe during WWII. On March 31, 1946, at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, he was honorably discharged. Harlan also was employed as a police officer with the Lake Mills Police Department, worked for Wilson Packing Plant in Albert Lea, MN, and sold insurance for the American Republic Insurance Company.
On Aug. 12, 1958, he was united in marriage with Viola Montgomery Counley in Rockford, Ill. They lived a number of years in Wisconsin prior to returning to Lake Mills. Viola passed away in 1988.
He was proud of his 50-plus year membership with the Otto/Chose Post #235.
Survivors include his brother, Tilman Kermit Meland, Henderson, Nevada; a half-brother, Richard Meland, Low Moor; stepdaughter, Linda Solsrud and her family, Forest Lake, Minn.; dedicated friend, Richard Ward, Lake Mills; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Knute and Tillie (Leidal) Meland; wife, Viola; special grandparents, John and Emma (Sevley) Leidal; and a stepson, Dennis Counley.