Carl Edward Ramsten

Memorial Service will be held, Saturday, March 14th at 3 pm, Smith Memorial Church, 2420 NE Fairview Ave, Fairview, OR 97024

Carl Edward Ramsten, Jr. passed in his home in Gresham Oregon on Saturday February 21, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family and friends, he was 94 years old.

Carl is survived by his wife Dolores Backus, his two sons Michael (with his wife Peggy) and Douglas (with his wife Darla), as well as his daughter Jeanne. Also he had six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Preceding Carl in death were his parents, Carl Edward Ramsten who emigrated from Sweden, his mother Amelia Ann Newman, and his sister Dolores Nielsen. Also preceding Carl was his first wife June and his second wife Katharine.

Carl was born in Portland Oregon November 1931. He graduated from Benson Polytechnic High School in 1940. He enrolled at Portland State College in September of 1949 attending there until he went into the Air Force from 1951 to 1952 serving as an aircraft mechanic during the Korean War. Discharged he returned to Portland State, then transferred to Oregon State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering in 1956. He became a registered Professional Mechanical Engineer in several states.

Carl's work experience ranged from drafting to design engineering to Project Engineer. Work took him from Oregon to Washington state, California, Mexico, Honduras, Chile, and British Colombia.

Upon retiring Carl and his wife Kathy acquired and managed a laundromat and several rental properties and apartment complexes. They converted one such into a care center for Alzheimer's patients, living and managing the work there for many years. When they relinquished their holdings they traveled the world until her death. Carl enjoyed further globetrotting with Delores after they were later married.

He was a hardworking and generous man, with a profound ethos and a wonderful sense of humor.