Ross Nels Iverson

ROSS NELS IVERSON September 14, 1925 –April 25, 2016 Ross passed away peacefully at sunset April 25, 2016 at his home in Monitor with his family by his side. He was born September 14, 1925 on the family farm in Bear River City, Utah, the fifth of seven children to Orson and Hattie (Jensen) Iverson. The family moved to Portland when he was seventeen and he graduated from Grant High School. He served in the Army Air Corps and was deployed to England as World War II ended. He came home and attended Multnomah College, majoring in pre dentistry. On November 18, 1950 he married the love of his life, Dorothy Van Veen and together they had 63 wonderful years. They bought a farm in Monitor Oregon, where they spent the rest of their lives farming and raising six kids. Ross was active in the community, serving sixty years with the Monitor Fire Department as a volunteer, chief, and on the board of directors. He served 25 years on the Clackamas Soil and Water District. He also served on the board of the Monitor Phone Cooperative, the Ninety One School and the Canby High School Boards. He was also a director for the Federal Land Bank. He and Dorothy traveled extensively having many great adventures around the world. Together they visited six continents and saw many iconic sights. They made many lifelong friends from all over the world. But Ross always longed to get back to the farm, because first and foremost, he was a farmer. Farming was his life, vocation, and hobby, he loved nothing more than overseeing and directing everything happening on the farm. Ross enjoyed classical music and the opera, if it wasn’t too over the top. Most of all he enjoyed talking about the farm and sharing the bounty and the beauty it produced. He loved talking to the visitors at the tulip festival and showing them around. During tulip season he liked nothing better than raiding the flower coolers and handing out tulips around the community. He also hosted annual family reunions at the farm for the last 50 years, where he became the favorite uncle of so many. Ross is survived by his six children Steve (Denise), Karen Bever (Bob), Nels (Patti), Ken (Laura), Barb (Maryann), and Paul (Janet), 26 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. He is survived by a sister and was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy in 2014, his parents and three brothers and two sisters. A celebration of his life will be held at Wooden Shoe Gardens Saturday May 7, 2016 at 2:00 pm. The family would be honored if you would bring your favorite tractor to line up in Ross’ memory. In lieu flowers contributions can be made to Thelma’s place in Canby Oregon, for their wonderful care of his beloved wife Dorothy. Arrangements by Simon-Cornwell Colonial Chapel.

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Ross Nels Iverson

September 14, 1925 - April 25, 2016