James R. Mattson

James Richard Mattson, 92, of Cambridge died on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at GracePointe Crossing Gables West.

James was born November 20, 1924 in Fish Lake Township, Chisago County to William and Ida (Hawkinson) Mattson at their home in Stark, MN. He was the youngest of five children. He attended country school District #23 in Stark and completed the 8th grade at North Branch.

Jimmy was united in marriage to Ruth Brackenbury on September 7, 1947, and to this union they were blessed with two sons Darrell and Philip and one daughter Beverly. They began their married life and farmed on the Mattson Farm northwest of Stark. While farming, he was also employed at the Twin Cities Federal Arsenal in Moundsview and Arrow Tank in Cambridge.

Jim was a lifelong member of the Fish Lake Lutheran Church in Stark, serving on the church council, Lutheran Brotherhood and many other positions in the church. He was also crowned the first Corn King at their annual corn feed, which originally started at the Mattson Farm. Jim was the second oldest living member at his church.

Jim enjoyed activities including hunting, snowmobiling with the Rush City Snow Bugs, and the Almelund Threshing Show. He was very observant and very skilled mechanically and could figure out anything. Jim will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his friendly manner and his dedication to family and friends. He touched many lives and will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ruth, brothers Chester and Maurice, and sisters Adeline Widell-Falk and Margaret Samuelson-Wandrus.

Jim is survived by his children Darrell (Denise), Bev (Marty) Zachrison, Philip (Tonia); grandchildren Darcy (Chad) Rowe, Pamela (Jon Enerson) Peterson, Kirk Mattson, John Westerberg, Kami (Colin) Brand, Kent (Marri) Mattson, Emily and Joe Mattson, Lisa (Matt) Gallick, Nikki (BJ) Thorstenson, Dan (Angie) Zachrison; 24 great grandchildren; sister-in-law LaVona Brackenbury; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The family would like to express their extreme gratitude to the dedicated staff at GracePointe Commons and Gables West and to St. Croix Hospice.

Funeral services 11 a.m., Friday, March 31, 2017 at Fish Lake Lutheran Church of Stark. Visitation 4-7 p.m. Thursday at funeral home and one hour prior at the church. Online condolences at www.carlsonlillemoen.com. Arrangements by Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Cambridge.