Melvin Richard Carlson was born in Amery, Wisconsin on February 10, 1922 the ninth child born to Charles and Ida Carlson. He was Baptized and Confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Amery where he has been a lifetime member. He completed his elementary education at Pine Hill School in Lincoln Township, walking to school via the fields and woods. He then attended Amery High School where he graduated in 1939. Because he was 17 years old when he graduated, he stayed on the home place and farmed with his parents.
Melvin met his future bride when his parents took their turn to board the school teacher for Pine Hill School, which was adjacent to the family farm. He was united in marriage to Lorraine Nilsson on June 7, 1947 at Balsam Lutheran Church in rural Amery. They made their home on the Carlson farm and were married for over 59 years. To this union five children were born: Neil, Alan, Loren, Gail and Jean.
Melvin was active in many organizations and groups. He served nearly two decades on the Amery School Board during the construction of the Lien Elementary and High School buildings, as well as the consolidation of the rural schools. His leadership and foresight as a school board member is the reason for the wonderful education campus they have today. He also served on the CESA Board of Control, as the Lincoln Township treasurer, and on the First Lutheran Church Council. He was very active in the First Lutheran Velkomen Club and the Amery Swedish Club. He was a charter member of the Amery Lion's Club and a recipient of the Melvin Jones Award, an honor given by that club. He and Lorraine enjoyed playing 500 with the neighborhood couples over the years.
Melvin retired from farming in 1983. He and Lorraine built their retirement home on 40 acres filled with maple trees. He enjoyed making maple syrup, gardening and decorating the house and yard for Christmas. He also tried his hand at wine making. He and Lorraine traveled often, including two trips to Sweden to visit relatives and trace their family roots. Melvin moved to Evergreen Village in Amery in 2009. After a brief hospitalization, he entered Willow Ridge Health Care Center where he died on February 14, 2012 at the age of 90.
He was preceded in death by his wife Lorraine, infant son, Loren; parents; siblings: Helen, Louis, Gilbert, Alice, LeRoy, Ruben, C. Henry, and Albert; nieces, nephews and other loved ones. He is survived by his children: Neil (Becky Davis) Carlson of Cincinnati, OH, Alan "Ace" (Helen) Carlson of Amery, Gail Peterson of Amery, and Jean (David) Karpenske of Comstock, WI. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 17, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Amery. Burial will be at the Amery Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. at First Lutheran Church.