Obit: Mathison, Edward N. #2 (1942 - 2011)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Mathison, Lenz, Streckert, Greene, Gale

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) November 16, 2011

Mathison, Edward N. (17 June 1942 - 8 November 2011)

Edward N. Mathison, 69, of Thorp, Wisconsin, met Jesus face to face on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, after a short fight with cancer.  His last moments were spent at home, surrounded by his family.

Ed was born in Stanley, Wisconsin, on June 17, 1942, to Gib & Esther Mathison.  He grew up on the family farm in the Town of Worden, attended Busy Bee School and graduated from Stanley High School. After graduation, he attended UW-River Falls where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Education.  In 1967, he fell in love with and married Lois Lenz, a bubbly redhead from Milwaukee.  Ed taught vocational agriculture in Glenwood City for four years before he achieved his dream of purchasing his own dairy farm in the Town of Worden, where he farmed for 22 years.  He and Lois were blessed with four children and, later, eleven beloved grandchildren.

Ed lived an incredibly varied life.  He did missionary work in Africa and Haiti, owned and operated a successful real estate business in Thorp, and served on the boards of Land O’Lakes, State Bank of Withee, Clark County Board of Adjustments and Forward Financial Bank.  He was a passionate student of God’s Word who excitedly shared his discoveries with the men in his weekly Bible study.  Ed had a genuine interest in people and found himself often in the role of financial advisor, mentor, teacher and descipler.  He loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, gardening and hobby farming, and he often included his grandchildren in those activities, gently teaching and nurturing their interest and finding a very special place in each of their hearts. The foundation of Ed’s life and the inspiration underlying everything he did was his love for the Lord and his desire to earnestly serve Him.

Ed is survived by his wife, Lois; children: Cindy and Mark Streckert, Tricia and Rance Greene, Brent and Venetta Mathison, and Brad and Angela Mathison; as well as grandchildren: Tyler, Benjamin, Jonathan, Katherine and Lily Streckert, Phineas and Leanora Greene, and Abigail, Isaac, Delaine and Daniel Mathison.  He is further survived by his much loved mother, Esther; younger brothers: Roger, Earl and Les; and little sister, Diane.  He was preceded in death by his father, Gib Mathison.

A simple celebration service and fellowship will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2011, at Community Alliance Church in Withee with Pastor James Gale officiating. Cremation was handled by Plombon Funeral Service.  In lieu of flowers, donations received will be given in Ed’s name to Children’s Vision Orphanage in Bogotá, Columbia.