Obituary of Merle H. Lassen

Merle H. Lassen, 80, of 11 Benson St., died at 9:18 a.m. Wednesday (September 15, 2010) in WCA Hospital. He was born October 27, 1929 in Jamestown the son of Henry W. and Genevieve Bergquist Lassen. Merle was a 1949 graduate of Jamestown High School and a 1951graduate of Bryant and Stratton College. For 35 years, he was employed as an account representative at the Jamestown Post Journal, retiring in 1992. He also owned and operated the Tastee Freeze in Cold Springs, across from Pic-17, for many years. Merle was a long time member of the Ingjald Lodge #65 Vikings, serving as Chief in 1970. Surviving are a son, Thomas M. (Lori A.) Lassen of Frewsburg; a daughter, Diane M. (Paul C.) Yager of Fuquay-Varina, NC; four grandchildren, Sean E. Yager of Denver, CO; Derek C. (Lillian) Yager of Fuquay-Varina; Jessica M. Lassen of New Castle, PA; Benjamin J. Lassen of Frewsburg; three great grandchildren, Linda M. and twins, Audrey M. and Bianca L. Yager all of Fuquay-Varina; a sister, Marion (Don) Gorman of Greenhurst; a sister in law, Karen Reed of Falconer; and two brothers in law, Jim Ahlgren of Conewango, NY; and David Ahlgren of Greenville, SC. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Ahlgren Lassen whom he married May 9, 1953 and who died March 6, 2008. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Jon Swart will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and for one hour prior to the service Saturday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 W. Fairmount Ave, Lakewood, NY 14750.