July 10, 1928 — Jan. 16, 2008

Melvin John Olsen died Jan. 16, 2008, at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. He was 79.

He was born in Eugene on July 10, 1928, to Dora and H.L. Olsen of Walton, where he grew up. He graduated from the Oregon Institute of Technology. He met and married Audrey M. King in 1954 in Klamath Falls. The new family moved to Corvallis in 1959 to work for Brown Company on the banks of the Willamette River.

He started his career with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) after several years with Brown Company. Mel worked for ODOT until his retirement in July of 1991. In November of that same year he was diagnosed with complete renal failure. He and Audrey spent their retirement years dealing with his poor health.

Mel was a Korean War veteran and sang in the U.S. Army.

Mel loved to square dance and enjoyed all the wonderful friends he met there. He served on many civic community committees and was an avid member of Interfaith Caregivers through his church, Grace Lutheran, where he and Audrey were members for many years. His hobbies included fishing, reading and hiking. He was a member of the State of Oregon Land Surveyors, the State of Oregon Board of Engineers, the American Legion Post 11, ARC and the Corvallis Square Dancers.

He is survived by his wife Audrey and his sons, Douglas and Clinton Olsen. He was preceded in death by his sister, Norma Deedon.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, Jan. 23, from noon to 5 p.m. at DeMoss-Durdan Funeral Home and Crematory. At the request of the deceased, no memorial service will be held.

Please remember Mel through the Kidney Association of Oregon and Benton County Special Olympics of Oregon/Bowling.