Ruth Alice Mattson, 88, of Cambridge, MN, passed away on Friday, September 12, 2014 at GracePointe Commons and Arbor in Cambridge with family by her bedside. She fought a four and a half year battle with kidney disease.
Ruth was born on December 8, 1925 at her parents home in Chengwatana Township, Pine County, MN. She was the fourth child out of seven children to William and Louise (Schliep) Brackenbury.
Ruth was united in marriage to James Mattson on September 7, 1947 and to this union they were blessed with two sons, Darrell and Philip and one daughter, Beverly. They began their married life and farmed until their retirement in 2000 on the Mattson family farm NW of Stark, MN. Ruth enjoyed many things, especially the pleasure that came from the farm with her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ruth and Jimmy just celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. A bittersweet final farewell party with family.
Ruth is survived by her loving and caring husband, Jimmy Matson of Cambridge, MN; two sons Darrell (Denise) Mattson of Harris, MN, Philip (Tonia) Mattson of Harris, MN; a daughter Beverly (Martin) Zachrison of Blaine, MN; eight grandchildren, Darcy (Chad) Rowe of Isanti, MN, Pamela Peterson (special friend Jon Enerson) of Cambridge, MN, Kirk Mattson of Harris, MN, John (Charan) Westerberg of Willeamstead, Curacao, Kami (Colin) Brand of Otsego, MN, Kent (Marri) Mattson of Colorado, Emily and Joseph Mattson of Harris, MN; three step-grandchildren, Lisa (Matt) Gallick of Coon Rapids, Nikki (BJ) Thorstenson of Pillager, MN and Daniel (Angie) Zachrison of Coon Rapids, MN; 12 great-grandchildren, Shyla Peterson, Hannah and Sarah Rowe, Taylor, Logan, and Kenadee Peterson, Leif Westerberg, John, Isaac, Alli and Dani Brand and Ethan Mattson; six step-great grandchildren, Hunter Radotich, Brady Strange, Owen and Hayden Thorstenson, Bryce Raduziner and Ellie Zachrison; sister, Violet Makie of New Brighton, MN; sisters-in-law, Margaret Wandrus of Aurora, MN, and Lavona Brackenbury of Pine City, MN and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Louise Carpenter, Marie Brogren Boals, Myrtle Mullins; brothers, Ralph and Elmer Brackenbury.
The family would like to express our extreme gratitude to the dedicated staff at GracePointe Commons and Arbor and to the Kidney Program in Cambridge
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday September 18, 2014 at Fish Lake Lutheran Church with Rev. Dale Stiles officiating. Visitation will we Wednesday September 17 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home in Cambridge as well as one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Fish Lake Lutheran Cemetery.
Arrangements are in the care of Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Cambridge. www.carlsonlillemoen.com