Doug Hamilton

Douglas Vernon Hamilton was born on June 21, 1948, in Willmar, Minnesota. He was the son of Douglas Harrison and Gertrude Vivian (Pierce) Hamilton. Doug grew up in Grove City, Minnesota, and finished his early education in Atwater. He went on to attend Maplewood Academy in Hutchinson, graduating in 1966. Doug attended Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska for one year and wasn’t content. He moved back to his parents’ home in Atwater and was extremely encouraged by his mother to attend the Willmar Junior College where he met the love of his life, Chari Olson.

Doug continued his education at the junior college in Willmar. Doug and Chari were united in marriage on May 6, 1968, at Green Lake Lutheran Church south of Spicer, Minnesota, which is coincidentally where Doug will be laid to rest alongside his baby boy, Jonathan. Shortly after getting married, Doug was drafted into the United States Army and faithfully served his country in the Vietnam War. Upon returning home, he found work on the railroad as a switchman and made more money than he thought possible because of union pay. Doug and Chari moved to Colorado to join some friends. At that time, he was thinking of going into physical therapy for school. While there, he worked as a security guard. After 9 months, due to unexpected circumstances, in 1972, Doug and Chari moved back to Minnesota where he worked as an electrical lineman for 3 months. He went back to Community College in Willmar where one classmate encouraged him to check out mortuary science because there was a huge need with many positions available and, after much prayerful consideration, he enrolled in the University of Minnesota’s school of Mortuary Science in 1974.

Doug graduated in 1976 and began his career as an apprentice mortician and funeral director in Braham, Minnesota, and passed his State Boards receiving his Mortician’s license at the end of his apprenticeship. He joined Zahrbock Funeral Home in Madison, Minnesota, and Birk Funeral Home in Canby, Minnesota, where the two firms shared him as an employee. After 7-8 years he and Mr. Birk partnered to open the new business, Hamilton-Birk Funeral Home, in Marshall, Minnesota, in 1986.

In 2003, Doug bought out Mr. Birk and the firm’s name was changed to Hamilton Funeral Home. Hamilton Funeral Home served Marshall and the surrounding communities faithfully and in 2014, when he retired, Doug and Chari sold the business to David and Elly Sprik and began to truly enjoy retirement and time spent with family.

Doug was an empathetic and compassionate soul who always put others first. He poured himself into funeral service and truly enjoyed helping people walk through very difficult days. Doug always had a story to tell or a joke to relay – with a noticeable smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. His quiet servant’s heart was on display as he volunteered in his community. Doug could be seen ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, playing cornet in the Wesley United Methodist Church band, serving on the board of Prairie Home Hospice, wearing a red jacket for the Marshall Chamber Ambassadors, or his involvement with Toastmasters. Doug was also a past president of the Marshall Lions Club and the Noon Rotary club being honored with a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of the American Legion and a past commander. Doug was also a lifetime member of the VFW, served a term on the police commission, and He was also involved with his church home – he had incredible faith rooted in Christ. Doug also enjoyed shopping and adding to his many collections, watching the Red Green Show or Judge Judy, and, in retirement, spending many winters in Apache Junction, Arizona.

Doug Hamilton went to sleep on June 8, 2026, at his home in Marshall, Minnesota and woke up in Heaven, just 13 days before his 78th birthday. Blessed be his memory.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Chari Hamilton of Marshall; 3 daughters, Becky (and Scott) Watson of Madison, Andrea (and Christian) Hamilton of Marshall, Liz Hamilton (and Eric Helmke) of Marshall; 6 grandchildren, Zachary (and Erin) Watson, Andrew Watson (and Brandi Deibler), Nicholas (and Brandi) Watson, Brady (and Kayla) Watson, Allison (and James) Long, Amanda Linville; 10 great-grandchildren, Auron, Logan, Wade, Brooklyn, Ezlyn, Magnolia, Lenni, Ivy, Aliza, Riggs; brother, Bud E. (and Terri) Hamilton of Silver Bay; sisters-in-law, Joyce Lundquist of Willmar, Carol Olson of Rosemount, Kathy Olson of Plymouth; a special aunt, Gloria Pierce of Lincoln, NE; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Doug and Gertrude Hamilton, and an infant son, Douglas Jonathan Hamilton in 1980.

Arrangements by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. 507-532-2933

www.hamiltonfh.com.