The Oregon Association of Nurseries is saddened to report that Melvin John Steffenson, founder of Pleasant Hill Nursery, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2025. Mel, born on February 23, 1932 on a homestead farm in South Dakota, was the seventh of eight children of John Olai Steffenson and Tilda Caroline Ausland. John immigrated from Norway in 1903. When he was about 3, Mel’s family moved to Canby, Oregon where he grew up.
Mel was a devoted family man. He married his first wife, Ann, and together raised their children, John, Amy and Eric. After Ann’s passing, Mel found love again and married his second wife, Ruth whose children, Barbara, Kathy and David, also became a part of his family. Mel’s children and grandchildren were a source of immense pride and joy for him.
Mel had a decades-long, successful career as a manager in the Pacific Northwest Bell system and in retirement founded Pleasant Hill Nursery as a hobby business. He was soon joined in the business by son-in-law Dave Daniel and together they grew Pleasant Hill Nursery into a regional nursery specializing in broadleaf and evergreen plants, perennials, and shade and ornamental trees serving landscapers and garden center primarily along the west coast. Pleasant Hill Nursery was a long-time member of the Oregon Association of Nurseries and Mel was active in the Emerald Empire Chapter. Many friendships with fellow plant enthusiasts were formed there.
He is preceded in death by six of his seven siblings, his first wife Ann and his daughter Jeanne. He is survived by his loving wife, Ruth and her children Barbara, Kathy and David (deceased); his sister Shirley; his children John and his wife Sheila, Amy and her husband Dave and Eric and his partner Salina. His grandchildren include Kerrie, Taylor, Max, Libby, Lena, Travis, Justin, Wyatt, Sarah, Bryan, Katie, Daniel, Karina, Colten, Kyler and Trevor. Greatgrandchildren include Garrett, Hayden, Kellasandra, Ayla, Elliana, Trevor, Matilda and Ramona.
A celebration of life gathering will be held Saturday March 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM at the Pleasant Hill Schools Community Center, 36386 Highway 58, Pleasant Hill, OR 97455. Donations encouraged in lieu of flowers to Habitat for Humanity of Central Lane or Food for Lane County (https://habitatlane.org/, https://www.foodforlanecounty.org/).
