Vernon L. Mattson

Vernon Lloyd Mattson, 74, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, November 6, 2005, at home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. He had fought a courageous battle with cancer for 18 years.He was born January 27, 1931, to Mathias and Lena Ellingson Mattson at the family farm near Lake Park, Minnesota. He attended country school and then farmed with his brother Martin.He married Doris Anderson on October 22, 1950, in Hitterdal, Minnesota. They continued to live and work on the family farm. They had five children, and their three sons all joined in the farming operation.He took great pride in working with his sons and seeing the farm grow through the years.He served on the church board for several years. Family was most important to him. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.Vernon was a kind and giving person and had a great sense of humor. He was dearly loved and will be deeply missed by his whole family.He is survived by Doris, his wife of 55 years; two daughters, Betty Richard Mattfeld, Underwood, MN, Debbie Dwight Hanson, Audubon, MN; three sons, Robert Julie Mattson, Richard Lisa Mattson and Roger Laurie Mattson, all of Lake Park, MN; 17 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; one brother, Leonard Della Mattson, Seattle, WA; two sisters, Opal Arvin Forness, Moorhead, MN, and Ruth Bill Iverson, Pueblo, CO; several nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents, six sisters and three brothers.