Merrill “Hjalmer” Dosland was born 12 Mar 1904 at rural Perley, MN to Christen O. Dosland and Anne Louise Halvorsen Dosland. He was the youngest of their eleven children.

He was baptized at Bethania Lutheran Church 6 Apr 1904. Sponsors for him were Pastor and Mrs. J. J. Heie, Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Dosland. He was confirmed June 19, 1919 at the Bethania Church.

His siblings were: Thormon Christian “Tommy” 1 Apr 1883-24 Jun 1969 (Borghild Ingeborg Paulson 22 Jul 1895-20 Jan 1935), Esther Josephine 25 Feb 1885-14 May 1973, Gjert Cornelius 15 Mar 1887-24 Sep 1887, Berthanna Elizabeth 30 Oct 1888-24 Feb 1912, Margrethe “Leonora” 13 Jan 1891-13 May 1983 (Axel Oftedal, MD 6 Dec 1884-1 Oct 1947), Thrine Christine 14 Dec 1892-26 Jan 1973 (Peter J. Gaare 21 Apr 1890-14 Jan 1976), Gjert Johan 13 Feb 1895-17 Dec 1971 (Bessie Amanda Brodahl 13 Jan 1899-31 Mar 1990), Halvor Cornelius 21 Feb 1897-22 Oct 1897, Chester Arthur 2 Dec 1898-18 May 1988 (Edna Amanda Baker 4 Jul 1900-26 Oct 1995) and Hildred Cornelia 30 Dec 1901-26 Apr 1990 (Allen Albert Opatz 17 Jun 1897-18 Jan 1971).

Hjalmer attended school in Thief River Falls, MN and Perley, MN. He worked for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) in Ada, MN and then moved to Flint, MI. While in Flint he worked in automobile manufacturing before entering the US Army during WW II.

After his discharge from the Army he moved to Glendale, CA where he worked for the US Postal Service until his retirement. He did not marry.

He returned to Minnesota in September 1987 and became a resident of the Halstad Lutheran Memorial Home, where he spent his remaining months.

Hjalmer passed away 11 Dec 1987 at Halstad, MN. He was 83 years old at the time of his death. Funeral services for Hjalmer were held at the Bethania Lutheran Church, rural Perley, MN 15 Dec 1987. Pastor Art Grimstad officiated. Pallbearers were: John Reierson, Bruce Reierson, Tom Baker, David Baker, Mardy Dosland and Terry Guttormson.