- Date Of Birth: February 19, 1930
- Date Of Death: December 4, 2019
- Spouse: Jerry Monsen
- Resting Place: Anchorage
- City: Naknek
- State: Alaska
Lifelong Alaska resident Melvin J. Monsen Sr., 89, died on Dec. 4, 2019, at the Alaska Native Medical Center of respiratory failure.
He was born in Naknek, Alaska on Feb. 19, 1930, to Martin and Martha Monsen. He grew up in a large, well-known southwest Alaska family of 24 children, including 12 siblings and 11 half-siblings. Melvin lived in Naknek, Fairbanks, and, since 1964, Anchorage, Alaska. His many professions included commercial salmon fisherman – for more than 40 years, trapper, movie theater owner/operator, trucking company owner/operator, commercial bush pilot, ventilation company owner, and procurement specialist for both private industry and the State of Alaska. He was an Army veteran, serving during the Korean conflict.
Melvin also served on many boards during his life, including Naknek Electric Association, as a founding member; Bristol Bay Native Corporation’s subsidiary Bristol Environmental & Engineering Services; and Cook Inlet Region Incorporated Shareholder Participation Committee. Melvin was able to fix just about anything and, for decades, enjoyed repairing or replacing home appliances, as well as plumbing and heating systems, for his friends and relatives.
Melvin is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jerry Monsen; daughter, Susan Monsen (Mark Berry); and son, Melvin Monsen (Lisa); grandchildren, Sarah Berry, Matthew Berry, and Elizabeth Strong (Homer Strong); his sister, Elaine Seversen; and many nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends.
