Obituary of Floyd Robert Mehlhoff

Floyd Robert Mehlhoff January 20, 1927- April 12, 2019 Beloved Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Grandpa, Great Grandpa and Uncle has passed away. Nicknamed “Poppa Shorty” by his grandchildren, he delighted in being around his whole family. There were many great camping trips with as many as six RV’s Parked at Detroit Lake, for a great time had by all. Floyd loved boating, and at 66 he purchased a beautiful ski/fishing boat. After a 30 year absence from water skiing, he decided he needed to be the first person to test it out for skiing, Floyd was able to get up on the ski’s the very first time, and made it completely around the lake without mishap, until a certain water wardrobe malfunction and he lost his balance. He was laughing so hard that it took some time for him to return to the boat! When not boating or fishing he loved to hunt deer in Eastern Oregon and Pheasants Locally with his beloved Black Lab by his side. In 1960 property on the Little North Fork of the Santiam was purchased. A great amount of time and energy was spent clearing the land for a cabin that Floyd designed and built himself. Hammers, Saws and Paint Brushes were always in use. Never an idle hand was found anywhere. Floyd was very proud that his house plans passed State Building inspections the first time. Rain or shine work was being done by all Family members to complete the cabin. Family Friends had purchased the land next to our property. The two Families helped one another with building and developing the properties. Soon, the two properties were named Camp Cororitoky, a name derived from the initials of the two Families children. The property remained rustic, with no running water, or indoor plumbing. Plenty of pranks were pulled, at times not to the humor of those being pranked. It was a good time filled with much hard work. In 1974 Floyd and Alice moved to the cabin, and it was finished off as a house. Grounds were immaculately kept and it became a showcase laden with beautiful flowers, full or color. There were many snowy Christmases, Summer BBQ’s and Swimming activities held at Camp Cororitoky throughout the years. In 2010 Floyd suffered a major Stroke and He and Alice moved to Lancaster Village Assisted Living to be closer to their Family. Floyd was born in Upham, North Dakota on January 20, 1927, the youngest child of Otto and Elizabeth Gehring Mehlhoff. His younger days were spent helping on the farm of his many Aunts and Uncles and his Grandparents by gathering fresh eggs from the Chickens, and shooting the many gophers as they popped up in the wheat fields on his Grandpa Fred’s farm. His grandfather paid Floyd a penny per gopher for each varmint he shot. Floyd received a shot gun from his Grandfather Fred for his 6th Birthday. Grandpa Fred taught how to care for and shoot the gun carefully and safely. Thus, began Floyd’s love of hunting. In 1933 Elizabeth, Otto, and their children moved to Oregon to start a new life, the dust bowl had taken it’s toll on the Family Farm. Floyd and his siblings attended Salem Public Schools, where in 1937 Floyd was to meet his future wife, Alice I. Grinde. He and Alice remained close through the years and married in March of 1947, slightly under a year after Floyd was discharged from the Navy. Their first child, a Daughter was born June of 1950, thereafter two Sons were born into the Family. With completion of their Family, life’s many adventures began. Floyd is preceded in death by his parents, sister; Olene Margarete White, a Brother; James Oliver Mehlhoff. Floyd’s legacy leaves behind his Wife Alice, Children Connie, Robert (Shelley), Rickey (Jeannie); grandchildren; Jamie (Monica), Kari (Andy) Chad (Shanarra) and Tara Mehlhoff, Great Grand Children; Austin Nelson, Alyssa Rene Nelson, Nicole Wolford, Zachary Ryan, Mathew lee Mehlhoff andGreyson Robert Mehlhoff. “Poppa Shorty” will be missed by all who loved him, he was one of a kind! We know he will be waiting for us, so that he can payback those pranks he was gifted through the years by his Children! Lord help us! As per Floyd’s request, there will be no service. A Family gathering will be planned at a later date to take place at the Family home and property on the Little North Fork.