Obit: Matson, Fred #2 (1886 - 1959)

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Matson, Dearth, Thormahlen, Tauchen, Linnett, Axelsen, Heimendinger

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 11/26/1959

Matson, Fred #2 (13 MAY 1886 - 15 NOV 1959)

Mr. Fred Matson passed away very suddenly Sunday evening, Nov. 15, 1959, while attending a birthday party at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Elmer Dearth of rural Owen.  He was 73 years, 6 months of age at the time of his death.  He had been suffering with a heart ailment for several years.

Funeral services were conducted Thursday afternoon, Nov. 19, from the Nazareth Lutheran Church at Withee; the Rev. Beryl Knudsen officiated at the final rites.  Interment was made in the parish cemetery.

Pallbearers were Ole Ammentorp, Andrew Olsen, Viggo Rasmussen, Hugo Wolters, Oscar Neibacher, and George (Bun) Hamm.  The honorary pallbearers were members of the Beekeepers Association from various counties, Mrs. John F. Long, Westfield; Mrs. Arthur W. Kehl, Watertown; Mr. William Aderman, Shawano; Mr. Henry Martinson, Beloit; Mr. George Hotchkiss, Mr. Douglas Rounds, Mr. Clinton Hatch, Mr. H.W. Coon, Eau Claire; Mr. Steve Treakle, Holcombe; Mr. Richard Tylee, Mr. Tom Tylee, Menomonie; Mr. Ben Kraus, Whittlesey; Mr. Ernest Collins, Bloomer; Mr. Axel Permanson, Tomahawk; Mr. Bernard Staab, Dorchester; Mr. Hilbert Neumann, Mr. Lester Dake, Mr. John C. Pagel, Mr. Fred Dettmering, Mr. Frank Fink, Mr. Herbert Pauts, Medford.  Flower girls were Mrs. Hilbert Neumann, Mrs. Earl Miller and Natalie Scherf.

Fred Matson was born on May 13, 1886 in Davenport, Iowa.  As a baby he moved with his parents to Mitchell, S.D., where he lived until he was 10 years old.  At this time he moved with his family to Withee (Clark Co., Wis.) in a covered wagon, the journey took one month.  They settled on a farm in the Wolter’s Corner area, southwest of Withee, where he grew to manhood.  On June 4, 1913 he was united in marriage to Katherine Thormahlen at Bridger, Mont.

Following their marriage they returned to the Withee vicinity where they resided until 1918, when they purchase a piece of wild land in the town of Holway, Taylor County, which they cleared and where they made their home.

He was a well known honey producer in this locality, having been engaged in the beekeeping industry since 1914.  He also served the Wis. State Dept. of Agriculture as an apiary inspector for the past 17 years.  He worked in several counties of the state, including Taylor County, which he served regularly for 17 years.

For the past 15 seasons he also served as apiary inspector in the state of Louisiana, working there in the early spring of the year.

Surviving are his wife, Katherine, one son, Harold, at home, six daughters, Frieda and Lillian, also at home, Mrs. Ray (Amelia (Dearth and Mrs. Elmer (Hilda) Dearth, both of rural Owen, Mrs. Rudolph (Anna) Tauchen, Curtiss, Mrs. Harvey (Katherine) Dearth, Abbotsford, 21 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are two brothers, Andrew and Chris of rural Withee, and three sisters, Mrs. Harold (Laurine) Linnett, Tyler, Minn., Mrs. Henry (Othelia) Axelsen, Superior, and Mrs. William (Josephine) Heimendinger, Minneapolis, Minn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, and three brothers.

Among those from away attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Harold Linnett, Tyler, Minn., Mr. and Mrs. William Heimendinger, Minneapolis, Minn., Miss Helen Dearth, Eau Claire, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Dearth, Greenwood, Mrs. Mary Herzberg, Mrs. Charles, Anderson, Minneapolis, Minn., Mrs. Karl Herzberg, Eau Claire,  Mr. John F. Long, Chief Apiary instpector, Westfield, Mr. Art Kehl from the Dadant and Sons Bee Supply Co., Watertown, and a large number of beekeepers and friends from Tomahawk, Shawano, Whittlesey, Eau Claire,  Bloomer, Menomonie, Beloit, Holcombe, Medford and Dorchester.