Lasting Memories

Harry Marshal Michelsen
Aug. 25, 1923-May 4, 2017
Woodside, California
Submitted by Scott Michelsen

Long time Woodside resident Harry “Mike” Michelsen died peacefully on May 4, 2017 surrounded by his family and devoted caregiver.

Mike was born Harry Marshal Michelsen on August 25, 1923, at Stanford Hospital in San Francisco. Mike spent the first six years of his life living on a dredger in the Sacramento delta on which his father was the Captain.

After his father’s passing in 1929, Mike and his mother, Christine Amundsen moved to San Pedro to live with relatives. After returning to San Francisco, he attended Balboa High School and met his one and only true love, Jean.

During WWII Mike served as a U.S. Navy officer on a Merchant Marine vessel as the Navigation Officer. Mike also served 3 years as a San Francisco police officer and then went to work for his stepfather, Arne Moen, in rebuilding Atlas Stairbuilding Inc. after a major fire. He later took over the Atlas Stairbuilding business.

Mike was very active in the Masonic Lodge, the Norwegian Club, Sons of Norway. He was a deacon at the Woodside Village Church and was very instrumental in the total renovation of the Chapel.

Mike was a volunteer at Kaiser Hospital in Redwood City, where he started the Pet Therapy Program with his service dog Kandi.

After seeing the world in the Navy, Mike and Jean traveled the world for pleasure.

Mike is survived by his daughter Terry Jarvi and son-in-law Gary Jones of Hollister; son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Patti Michelsen of Woodside; and grandchildren Erik Jarvi, Kirsten Jarvi, James “JP” Michelsen, and Bria Michelsen.