Surnames: Cain, Dearth, Harris, Mabry, Matson, Peterson, Shadrick, Snyder, Tauchen, Thormahlen

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., Wisconsin) Thursday, September 8, 2011, online edition

Matson, Harold N. (July 20, 1919 - September 4, 2011)

Harold N. Matson, 92 Withee, died on Sunday, Sept 4 at Memorial Nursing and Rehab Center in Medford, where he had been a patient for one week.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Withee, with Rev. Bonnie Cain officiating. Burial will be at Nazareth Lutheran Cemetery in Withee. Pallbearers are his grandchildren, Brad, Jeff and Fred Matson, Jesse Snyder, Stephany Mabry and Jodi Harris.

Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service.
Hemer Funeral Service of Medford assisted the family with arrangements.

Harold Matson was born on July 20, 1919 in the Town of Holway to the late Fred and Katherina C. (Thormahlen) Matson. He attended elementary school at Forest Grove in the Town of Holway.

On June 6, 1942 at Nazareth Lutheran Church, he married Betty Rose Peterson, who survives.

As a young man, he worked on the family dairy farm in the Town of Holway, owned it from 1958 until 1973, then owned and operated Matson Livestock, where he transported cattle, until 1982. He then worked for the United States Forestry Service from 1983 until retiring in 1987.

He was a member of Nazareth Lutheran Church and served on the school board for Forest Grove. He enjoyed wood crafting, camping, family gatherings and outings, hunting and fishing.
In addition to his wife, survivors include six children, Irene (Jack) Shadrick of Beloit, Roger (Sharon) of Janesville, Ronald (Peggy) and Lawrence, both of Withee, Howard of Albany, and Robert (Dawn) of Arkdale; two sisters, Anna Tauchen of Curtiss and Lillian Matson of Withee; a brother-in-law, Elmer Dearth of Owen; 13 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Freida, Amelia, Hilda and Catherine Dearth; a grandson, Scott Matson; and a great-granddaughter, Dawn Marie Matson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to his family to be designated at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.