Surnames: Carlson, Giese, Janda, Mattson, Peterson, Samuel, Smith

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., Wisconsin) Thursday, May 27, 2010, online edition

Mattson, Russell LeRoy (July 19, 1914 - May 23, 2010)

Russell LeRoy Mattson, 95, Ogema, died Sunday, May 23 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 27 at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Ogema, with Rev. Bob Giese officiating. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Ogema. Pallbearers are Brian Mattson, Dan Mattson, Ronald Mattson, Douglas Mattson, Paul Janda, David Janda, John Mattson, Margaret Smith, Beth Mattson, Kathy Janda and Melissa Janda.

Russell Mattson was born July 19, 1914 in Phillips to the late Fredolf and Hilda (Peterson) Mattson.

He attended Larkin Graded School and was a 1932 graduate of Prentice High School, where he played basketball. He worked on the family dairy farm, eventually taking it over and was owner and operator of Mattson Dairy.

On June 30, 1937 in a garden wedding ceremony, he married his grade school sweetheart, Bernice Carlson, who preceded him in death on June 13, 2004.

He was a welder for Prentice Hydraulics, owned and operated Mattson Motors, and along with his wife co-owned and co-operated the Chalet Gift Shop. He also did custom hay baling for farmers, produced maple syrup, raised Christmas trees, and was known for his ornamental iron work.

He was a member of First Lutheran Church, past member of Lutheran Brotherhood and was a Sunday school teacher for many years. He was a charter member of Ogema Lions Club, having served as president and secretary; member of Ogema Volunteer Fire Department; was active in the Boy Scouts and was awarded the Order of the Arrow; past supervisor on the Price County board; contributed to the creation of Timm's Hill Park; and was involved in the formation of Ogema Dairy Days which eventually turned into the Ogema Christmas Tree Festival.

Survivors include two sons, David (LaVonne) of Ogema and Bob (Jan) of Mindoro; a daughter, Rosemary (Louis) Janda of Sturgeon Bay; seven grandsons; four granddaughters; 20 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Fred Gilbert (Emma); and a sister, Gladys (Earl) Samuel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in his honor may be given to First Lutheran Church Handicapped Building Fund.

Dallmann-Kniewel Funeral Homes of Medford and Rib Lake assisted the family with arrangements.