Melvin "Mel" Lyle Carlsen

Melvin Lyle "Mel" Carlsen, 81, of Elgin, died July 28 in La Grande. A memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at Elgin Baptist Church, 800 N. 13th Ave. A private burial will follow at Olney Cemetery in Pendleton.

Melvin was born Jan. 20, 1929, to Henry J. and Pearl E. (Haag) Carlsen in Dwight, Ill. When he was 3 years old, the family moved to Junction City where he graduated from high school. Before graduating, he purchased his first 40 acres of farmland. Mel served with the Army in Korea and, after his honorable discharge with the rank of Sergeant E-5, he pursued his love of farming.

On Dec. 10, 1960, he married Karen Mickelsen of Junction. In 1962 they moved to the Telocaset area where Mel achieved his life-long dream of ranching, raising cattle and hay, and improving the land. In 1974 and 1975, he was honored as Outstanding Cooperator with the Union Soil and Water Conservation District and in 1979 was selected as Union County Cattleman of the Year.

Mel loved Eastern Oregon. He cherished time spent with his family and friends going camping, fishing, backpacking and exploring the Oregon Coast. He preferred driving the backroads, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Pacific Northwest.

Mel was a long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church in Baker City. Mel and Karen retired and moved to Elgin in 1992.

He is survived by his wife, Karen of Elgin; daughter, Kellie Carlsen of Lakeview; son, Matt and his wife, Janet Carlsen, of Summerville; granddaughters; two brothers, Les and his wife, Nancy Carlsen, of Lostine and Don and his wife, Lavonne Carlsen, of Columbus, Miss.; sister, Maxine Carlsen of Junction City; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Elgin Baptist church in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel.

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