Oliver "Ollie" J. Mulford

Oliver J. Mulford, age 91, of North Mankato, died, Saturday, August 12, 2017, at Oaklawn Health Care Center, Mankato.

Funeral Service 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 16, 2017, at Centenary United Methodist Church, Mankato. Visitation 5-7 p.m., Tuesday at Northview ~ North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato with a 6:45 p.m. Masonic Service and will continue one hour before service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN. Memorials may be given to Mayo Clinic Health System – Mankato, Hospice, Centenary United Methodist Church, or donor’s choice.

Oliver was born October 25, 1925, in Newburg, Iowa to Oliver and Ruby (Hendricksen) Mulford. He graduated from high school at Kellogg, Iowa in May of 1943. He enlisted in the Army Air Force until the end of the war, plus 6 months. He enrolled for a Bachelor Degree in Business at Central College at Pella, Iowa in August 1945 and graduated in June 1949. He later earned his Ed.D from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. He was united in marriage to Patricia Ashing on June 17, 1949. He taught in Gilman, Iowa, as Junior High School Principal, Business Instructor at Keokuk Community College, Keokuk, Iowa, Office Manager and accountant for Walker Stainless Steel Company, New Lisbon, WI, and taught at Minnesota State University for 33 years in the Department of Business before retiring in 1994.

Dr. Mulford served in the Army Air Force for two and one half years, completing his military service on the island of Tinian in the Mariana Islands. He served as a Radar Counter Measures mechanic in the rank of Staff Sergeant. The squadron received three battle stars and one Presidential Citation.

Dr. Mulford and his wife enjoyed traveling extensively, including teaching for Boston University in Europe in 1981-82 for a year and teaching for the University of Maryland for a year in Korea and Japan in 1990-91. A highlight of his Asian travels with his wife was returning to the island of Tinian where he served during the WWII. They spend three days on the Island where he was stationed and he recalled old memories. They returned again in August 2005 for a week with a group of veterans, families, and historians for commemoration ceremonies of the 60th Anniversary of the end of the war, as well as touring the island for familiar landmarks. Both American and Japanese veterans attended. He was active in the Masonic Order, a member of the SAR, Centenary Methodist Church and various education organizations. He enjoyed reading, especially military history, dancing, and playing golf.

Oliver is survived by his wife, Pat of 68 years; two sons, Philip (Priscilla) of Alexandria, VA, Tracy (Cheryl) of Caledonia, Michigan; and a number of nieces and nephews. Oliver was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; and one infant sister.