Edwin Mattson

Edwin Ely Garfield Mattson, 93, passed away at his home on Saturday, December 1, 2018. Edwin was born on November 16, 1925, to Joel and Anna (Karvinen) Mattson near Snellman, MN.  He attended country school through the eighth grade, and much later received his GED.  On December 27, 1944, he enlisted with the United States Army, serving time in Japan during WW11.  He was honorably discharged on November 15, 1946. On October 30, 1948, Edwin married Ruth Christianson and together they raised two girls, Karen and Elaine, in the Snellman area.  Edwin worked for Alexander Construction for several years. A few of his major projects were at the Grand Forks Air Force Base, the Oahe Dam in Pierre, SD, and building roads in Greenland.  In 1960, he joined the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the family moved to Dilworth later transferring to Detroit Lakes in 1962. Edwin worked for MNDOT in the maintenance department for 27 years.  After retirement in 1987, he drove for Medi-Van and later drove for the VFW bringing veterans to VA appointments in Fargo. Ruth passed away in 1978 and Edwin remarried Gloria Alm in 1979.  Gloria had two grown children, Warren Alm and Janet Longfors. Edwin was a very proud veteran, having once served as Commander of the Detroit Lakes VFW Post 1676. He was also very active in the color guard for many years. He was a member of the Detroit Lakes American Legion Post 15 and the Detroit Lakes Eagles Aerie# 2342.  He loved deer camp at section 5 and hunted with his family until he was 90 years old. Edwin was a member of the Trinity Lutheran church and attended every week. Edwin enjoyed his family, eating breakfast out daily, playing bingo, and going to the casino. Edwin is survived by his daughters, Karen (Jim) Christiansen of Audubon and Elaine (Tom) Mack of Detroit Lakes, and step- son Warren Alm of Chicago.; five granddaughters, Gretchen (Trevor) Thilmony, Jill (Randy) Brandt of Detroit Lakes, Kimberly Paesler of Brainerd, Kelly (Mark) Schiffner of Audubon, and Diana (Ross) Brennan of Moorhead; 12 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, both wives, Ruth (1978) and Gloria (2011) his step-daughter Janet Longfors: son-in-law Rodney Olson; five brothers and sisters Sylvia Laine, Richard Mattson, Walter Mattson, Senia Lindbom and Violet Hukee and their spouses.