Melvin Richard Iverson

Melvin Richard Iverson passed away peacefully November 2, 2016, with his daughter, Susan by his side. He was 88 years old. He was born to Marguerite Otelia Wells Nelson and Melvin Oliver Ranvgold Iverson on October-15, 1928, in Marysville, Washington. Preceding him in death were his loving wife of over 40 years, Carol, who left his side July -12, 2010; his sisters, Mary Iverson Reed, Margaret Iverson Miccio and Virginia Iverson Hendrickson; and his first wife, Georgia Hegstad, who died in 1992. Surviving him are three brothers, Arthur Dean Iverson, Norm Oss and Thos Peterson - they called themselves The Sons of Marguerite and had t-shirts made with their pictures on the front. I called them the Brothers Four or the Band of Brothers. Mel is also survived by two daughters, Susan Iverson (and her children, Joe Matthies and Jessica Matthies Johnson) and Janice Iverson Donaldson (and her, son, Isaac Donaldson). He also leaves four step-children he loved as his own: Brenda Bigler Baker (Mitchel, Amber and Melanie), Carl Bigler Keefer (Danny, Brenda and Bobby Iverson), David Bigler Keefer Iverson (Ryan, Tricia, Emily, Stevie and Micah) and Steve Bigler Keefer (Erin and Danielle). He loved all his children and grandchildren very, very much. Mel (aka: Dick) loved to Bowl in his youth, especially if he could enjoy a cigar between his teeth while throwing the ball. He was a very good bowler and served on many leagues throughout his lifetime. He loved to laugh and he never tired of "Sven, Ole and Lena" jokes. He especially loved jokes that poked fun at the "Svedes". He loved to be around people, especially family and good friends. He loved making breakfasts, especially potato pancakes and waffles. He also loved making Lefse, although he never really got the knack of it. Mel loved playing cards. Pinochle was one of his favorite among groups of friends, but he most of all enjoyed a good, competitive game of Cribbage with anyone, but especially with his grandchildren. In honor of this memory by his grandson Joe, he created a cribbage game you can download on your Android or iPhone called "Grandpa's Cribbage". In the game, you will get pop-ups of some of Mel's favorite sayings when you played with him. One of our favorites is, "think long, think wrong". Mel was not happy unless he was building something or landscaping his yard and gardens. He built a house with his own two hands in Oso, Washington, on Deer Creek around the 1980's, with the help of his loving son-in-law, Danny as well as others who enjoyed pitching in to lend a hand. He had watched his own father, Melvin O Iverson, build his own home by hand on Marilyn Ave., in Everett, WA, during the late 1950's. Both homes still stand. Mel worked hard all his life. He was fostered out and sent to work on a farm owned by the Singletons in Arlington, Washington, at the age of 12. They moved their farm to Puget Island, Washington, and Mel went with them. That's where he met his first wife, Georgia Hegstad, Janice and Susan's mother. They married when Mel was 21 and were together for 17 years. Mel overcame many obstacles in his childhood by working harder than most people, even working two full time jobs while still taking care of his home and family. He worked for everything he obtained in life. He was never, ever, a couch potato. Mel was part owner as well as a laborer of the Quilceda Tannery in Marysville for a number of years. He also worked for E A Nord Door company for over 17 years along with his father, Melvin O. Iverson. Dad built a Gazebo, with a fire pit in the center, on the property he once owned in Oso. Also, an outdoor kitchen he called, Mel's Diner, complete with picnic tables, a fridge, a sink and a roof. Of course, none of that would be complete without His and Hers Outhouses for all the family and friends who came to visit. Our family spent many a good time camping out on their property, cooking meals in "Mel's Diner, joining each other in the Gazebo, cooking onions in the fire-pit, tipping back a brewski and telling jokes. We will always have wonderful memories of those times. Dad was the only man I ever knew who kicked the women out of the kitchen so he could wash the dishes. He was very much a man, though quite unique in his own way. We will miss him. We do miss him.