Elmer Reseland, 76, of Owatonna, passed away Friday, August 17, 2012 at his home. He was born July 17, 1936 in Crookston the son of Elmer and Adeline (Vehle) Reseland. He grew up in Fertile where he graduated from Fertile High School in 1954. He graduated from Minnesota State University-Moorhead with a B.S. degree in Education in 1958 and a M.S. degree in Administration/Supervision in 1962. He married Alice Louise Thompson on July 16, 1966 at the Associated Church in Owatonna. Reseland was an elementary school principal for 28 years in the Owatonna Public Schools (McKinley 65-69, Washington 69-74, Lincoln 74-79, Wilson/Roosevelt 79-82, McKinley 82-90). He was the first principal at Willow Creek School (90-93) and helped with the planning and design of the building. He was principal of Minnesota''s #1 PTA six times (77, 78, 88, 89, 90, 91). Before coming to Owatonna, he was a teacher and Principal in Crookston and East Grand Forks. After retirement in 1993, he served as part time Director of Public Relations for four years. In 1995 he was appointed Secretary/Manager of the Steele County Free Fair and he served in that capacity for eighteen years. He was a 25 year member of the Lions Club, 52 year Elks Club member, served on the board of directors of the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce, and was a Chamber Ambassador. He was on the Owatonna City Hospital board of directors for nine years and was a trustee at The Associated Church. He was a member of the Minnesota and National Elementary School Principals Association. He was a District One Director for the Minnesota Federation of County Fairs and a member of the Midwest Showmen''s Association. In 2012 he was named Minnesota Fair Person of the Year by the Midwest Showmen''s Association. Reseland was honored with the VFW Minnesota Americanism award, the Freedom Foundation American Educators Award, PTA Distinguished Service Award, life membership in both the National and Minnesota PTA, the FFA Distinguished Service Award, and the Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow Award. In 2008 he received the Minnesota Federation of County Fairs Distinguished Service Award. In 2011 he was awarded the Owatonna Tourism Award and named Southern Minnesota Ag Ambassador of the year. Reseland is survived by his wife of 46 years, Alice; sons, Richard (and Karen) of Owatonna, and Erik (and Brooke) of St. Anthony Village; three very special granddaughters, Elsa, Adeline, and Emily; brother-in-law, Richard Thompson of Algona, IA; cousins, Dan (and Lisa) Vehle, Mike Vehle, Catherine (and Lloyd) Wolf, John (and Jo Anne) Dahl. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 21 from 12 pm to 8 pm with his family present from 5pm to 8pm and one hour prior to the service at Fair Square Park. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at 10:30 am at Fair Square Park in the Steele County Fairgrounds with Dr. Ronald D. Wilson officiating. Private family interment will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Owatonna. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Owatonna Foundation, District 761 Foundation or the Steele County Free Fair. Visitation: 08/21/2012 12:00 08/21/2012 20:00 Service: with family present from 5-8pm and one hour prior to the service at Fair Square Park in the Steele County Fairgrounds. 08/22/2012 10:30