Orlan "Tubby" Solsten

Orlan “Tubby” Solsten, age 86, of Fosston, MN, passed away on Friday, July 8th, at Essentia Health Living Center in Fosston with his family by his side. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 12th, at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston with the Rev. Jane Ekholm officiating. Inurnment will be in the Hope Lutheran Columbarium in Fosston. Family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. Military honors will be provided by the National Guard Honors Team. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Orlan James Solsten was born on March 11, 1936, in Fosston, Minnesota to parents Otto and Ruby (Skog) Solsten. He grew up in Fosston and graduated from Fosston High School in 1954. Orlan entered the United States Army in 1954, serving until receiving his honorable discharge in 1957.

Tubby was united in marriage to Eileen Troska November 22, 1958, in Fosston. To this union, three children were born, Jeffery, Michael, and Shelly. Tubby worked as a machine operator with his dad in Solsten Construction and with various construction companies. In 1974, he began his career with the City of Fosston. Tubby held positions in all departments with the City, retiring in 1999.

He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church where he sang in the church choir and served as an usher and deacon. He was a member of the Fosston Fire Department for 21 years and a Past Commander of the Tangen-Walstrom American Legion Post and member of the Drill Squad.

Tubby loved fishing, deer hunting, woodworking, curling, golf, was an avid Minnesota sports fan, and spending time at Balsam Beach Resort. He also played softball for many years, playing for the Fosston Merchants, Fosston Sluggers, and Fosston Hartz teams. Upon retirement, he liked traveling to Florida, Arkansas, and Arizona. His most memorable trip was spending his 60th birthday in Hawaii.

Orlan “Tubby” passed away peacefully with his family by  his side on Friday, July 8, 2022, at Essentia Health Living Center at the age of 86 years.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Eileen, of Fosston; three children, Jeff (Sue) of Hanover, MN, Mike (Michelle) of Fosston, and Shelly (Travis) Anderson of Bovey, MN; four grandchildren, Ashley Solsten, Chris (Emily) Berglund, Erika (Morgan) Mazaleski, and Hannah Anderson; foreign exchange student, Henning Juhl of Hamburg, Germany; four great grandchildren, Parker Solsten, Corbin Berglund, Kylee Berglund, and Ryleigh Mazaleski; many nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law, Char Floan, Lynette (Doug) Achtelik, and Donna (Larry) Anderson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters and brothers-in-law, Katherine “Kiki” and Keith Caskey, Irene and Duane Erickson, and borther-in-law, Jim Floan.