Conrad Mattson

Conrad L. Mattson, 91 ,of Sleepy Eye, MN died on Monday, May 26, 2008 at his home in Sleepy Eye, MN. Conrad was born on August 19, 1916 in Aledo, IL to Rev. Joseph C.and Minnie Mattson. As a boy he also lived in Alvarado, MN, Bemidji, MN, and graduated from high school in Bemidji. He attended Lutheran Bible Institute in Golden Valley,MN, and Bemidji State College where he received his BA and MA degrees. He met Arline Adolphson while teaching Industrial Arts in Princeton, MN, and they were married on Aug 5, 1945. They lived in LeSueur, MN for about 10 years where he worked for Green Giant doing drafting and design work. They moved to Sleepy Eye in 1956 where Conrad taught Industrial Arts for Sleepy Eye Public Schools until his retirement in 1981. He loved woodworking, traveling, camping, reading, helping others, and spending time with family and friends. He loved God and was passionate about his faith, often saying the three most important things in life are faith, family, and friends. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he enjoyed bible studies, choir and volunteer carpentry projects. He was a member of Toastmasters, Gideons, Lions Club and Retired Educators Assn. He self-published three books during his retirement as an expression of his faith and his study of the Bible. His love for life will be fondly remembered. Conrad is survived by his wife Arline of Sleepy Eye, three sons, Daniel Mattson, Oakland,CA; Randy (Kathy) Mattson, Jordan, MN; Ross (Kathy) Mattson, Minneapolis, MN; two daughters, Carol (Mike) Francis, Waseca, MN; Becky (Ron) Kanengieter, Sioux Falls, SD; ten grandchildren, Erica (Jason) Bryan-Wegner, Nicole Bryan, Ruth Mattson, Margaret Mattson, Benjamin Mattson, Joel Francis, Mariana Francis, Conrad Kanengieter, Tanya (Nicholas) Bethard, Gwen Kanengieter; two great grandchildren, Eliana Bryan-Wegner and Nico Watkins; one son-in-law, Rev.Thomas (Sara) Bryan; three brothers, Verner (Lois) Mattson, West Palm Beach, FL; Joseph (Lu) Mattson, Johnson City, TN; Paul (Joan) Mattson, Marquette, MI; one brother-in-law, Florian Gutzmer, Coon Rapids, MN; and many nieces, nephrews and extended family. Conrad was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Audrey Bryan, and his sister, Evodia Gutzmer.