Shirley Ann Mattison

Shirley Ann Mattison, daughter of Robert and Ethel (Erickson) Graff, was born in rural Highwater Township on February 7, 1931. The oldest of eight children, she was baptized and confirmed at Highwater Lutheran Church. She graduated from Lamberton High School in 1949. Following graduation, Shirley worked at the Lamberton school as a secretary.

On April 29, 1951, Shirley was united in marriage to Arlo Mattison at Highwater Lutheran Church. The couple was stationed in Fairbanks, AK where Arlo served in the Army. In 1953 they moved to a farm near Revere. After retirement in 1996, the couple moved into Lamberton. Their marriage was blessed with five children: Alan (Connie) Mattison of Belmond, IA, Ann (Duke) Okins of Rochester, MN, Keith (Loretta) Mattison, Todd (Wendy) Mattison of Revere, Tom (Ronda) Mattison of Eden Prairie; grandchildren Chris (Ann) Mattison and children Dana and Spencer, Coby (Tara) Mattison and children Isabelle, Cooper and Chase, Brandon (Erin) Okins and children Brynn, Mara and Harrison, Brittany (Matthew) Rom and daughter Jadzia, Jerilyn (Jacob) Bruce and daughter Suraya, Stephanie (Preston) Finger, Morgan Mattison, Emily (Ben) Jones and daughter Sophia, Sarah (Cody) Melton and Lauren (Richard) Sauer.

Shirley was very active in her church and community through the years. She served as an organist at the Revere Lutheran Church for 33 years. She was a member of the Lamberton American Legion Auxiliary Post #41 for 46 years. She liked gardening, growing vegetables and flowers, especially gladiolas. She and Arlo went on several fishing trips to Northern Minnesota with friends. Music was important to Shirley and she enjoyed being a part of community/church choirs, especially singing with her sisters. She was known for her homemade bread/buns and lefse.

Shirley died Sunday, December 8, 2024 at St. John’s Lutheran Home in Springfield, MN at the age of 93 years.

She is survived by four children; ten grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; brother Bruce (Elona) Graff, sisters-in-law Arlette (Eugene) Raveling, Diane Graff and Joanne Graff. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Arlo; son Keith; siblings Robert Jr. (Joyce) Graff, Roger Graff, Arliss (Donald) Quiring, Janice (Merle) Coulter, Gary Graff, and Richard Graff; brothers-in-law Kenneth (LeAnne) Mattison, Glen (Twila) Mattison, Obert Mattison, and Robert Mattison.