Merle Floyd Carlson

Merle Floyd Carlson was born on October 4th, 1936, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Louise Meppen Carlson and Floyd Carlson. Merle grew up with three brothers, Steven, Gerald and James Carlson, and three sisters, his twin Myrna Rowe, DeeAnn Amstad, and Jane Thompson. Merle lived in Idaho Falls, Idaho with his parents and siblings until he was 13 years old. He attended New Sweden Elementary School outside of Idaho Falls through the eighth grade. He and his family moved to Culver, Oregon, in search of new land to farm. Upon moving to Culver, Merle finished his eighth-grade year and attended high school, graduating from Culver High School in 1954. Following high school, he attended Oregon State University. Merle graduated with a Bachelor of Science in General Agriculture and as an ROTC officer in 1958. Following graduation, Merle served active duty as an artillery officer in the US Army stationed in Korea and Fort Lewis. He was honorably discharged from the Army Reserves as a Captain in 1968. While attending an officer’s function at Fort Lewis, Washington, just before planning to move to Spokane, Washington, for work, Merle met the love of his life, Mary Louise Lehnert. She happened to be finishing a nursing practicum at American Lake in Lakewood, Washington, coincidentally having plans to do her final nursing practicum in Spokane, Washington. Merle and Mary Louise were married on May 5, 1962, in Spokane. Two years later, they moved back to Merle’s hometown of Culver, Oregon, and began farming. Soon after, their son Scott Merle was born on April 18, 1965, and their daughter Karen Ann was born on July 7, 1966. Merle began his civilian career as a chemical salesman for Ortho in Spokane, Washington. He quickly realized being his own boss and farming was truly his dream. Merle leased land and farmed in Culver, Oregon, near his family farm for about six years but he wanted to farm his own land. Merle and Mary Louise moved their family to Lexington, Boardman, Arlington, and back to Boardman in pursuit of land to purchase. Merle finally purchased acreage in Boardman, Oregon. He developed this land from sage brush and sand dunes into a successful farm operation. Merle retired from farming in 1995 to enjoy his interests in fishing and gardening among other things. He and Mary Louise retired to Troy, Oregon, and lived next to the best fishing hole on the Grand Ronde River. They enjoyed some of their favorite years in Troy but decided it was time to be closer to family and moved to Central Oregon. They settled in Redmond for the remainder of their lives. Merle had too many interests to list but was the happiest when spending time with his family. He was a dedicated and loyal son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He will be deeply missed… Merle is survived by his two children, Scott Carlson (Elisa) and Karen Eckart (John), his grandchildren, Haley Grant, Colin Grant, Traver Carlson, and Avery Carlson, his sisters Myrna Rowe, DeeAnn Amstad (Tony), and Jane Thompson (Keith) three brothers, Steve Carlson, Gerry Carlson (Barbara), and Jim Carlson (Mary), plus many, many nieces and nephews and dear friends. Merle is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise Carlson, and his son-in-law, Neil Grant. There will be a Celebration of Life on Friday, June 21st beginning at 12:00pm held at Culver Christian Church at 501 4th Avenue in Culver, Oregon 97734.

Merle Floyd Carlson

October 4, 1936 - June 14, 2024