1921
Orlend
2007
Orlend Mathison
July 16, 1921 — July 12, 2007
Orlend Mendle Mathison was born on July 16, 1921 to parents Severt and Nettie (Robertson) Mathison in Artichoke Township, MN. At age seven, his family moved to the farm where Orlend would eventually spend the next fifty years. Orlend met Irene Karels at a dance in Graceville. The two were united in marriage two years later on June 5, 1945, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Rosen, MN. They enjoyed dancing together, fishing year round, and their morning cribbage games. To this union were born eight children: Curt, Mary, Jim, Terry, Debbie, Brenda, Joy, and Brian. Orlend and Irene spent over sixty-two loving years together prior to his passing.
Farming played a part in Orlend's life from the time he was a little boy with his father until he was a great-grandfather himself. At his father's insistence, Orlend left school following the eighth grade and took up farming full time. This led him to later buy his parents' farm and continue to work it while Irene took care of the children. Upon his retirement, Orlend and Irene moved to the shores of Big Stone Lake where they made their home for the next nineteen years. During his "retirement" Orlend continued to keep his hand in farming by selling feed. It was not until 1999 that the couple moved to town and true retirement finally began.
Orlend was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the board of the Odessa Elevator. In his free time, he enjoyed reading westerns, especially Louis L'Amour novels, and playing cards at the card parties that were held with friends. Orlend's retirement years were spent enjoying his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends, hunting, fishing and woodworking.
Orlend unquestioningly loved and supported his children throughout their lives and was very proud of them. He taught them through his quiet leadership the significance of honesty and integrity. He will be remembered by his family and friends as a strong but gentle man. He lived a life of sacrifice for his family and modeled the values he held.
Orlend passed away on Thursday, July 12, 2007, at the Northridge Residence Nursing Home in Ortonville, MN. He is preceded in death by his parents, Severt and Nettie; two brothers, Norel and Edloir Mathison, and his sister Gloria Bailey.
He is survived by his wife, Irene Mathison, of Ortonville, MN; children, Curt (Linda) Mathison of Forest Lake, MN; Mary (Al) Karels of Houston, TX; Jim (Kathie) Mathison of Midland, TX; Terry Freeman of Richfield, MN; Debbie (George) Peterson of Canby, MN; Brenda Mathison (Rayla Allison) of Bloomington, MN; Joy Mathison (Mary Ann McArdle) of Eagen, MN; and Brian (Stacy) Mathison of Moorhead, MN; sixteen grandchildren, Erik Mathison, John Mathison, Christopher Mathison, Tyler Mathison, Alex Mathison, Matthew Freeman, Kevin Peterson, Anthony Karels, Gregory Karels, Jennifer Staves, Sarah Camarillo, Leah Mathison, Katie Freeman, Beth Freeman, Carolyn Peterson, Morgan Mathison, sixteen great-grandchildren, three sisters: Miranda Redfield of Ortonville, MN; Dewana Amberg of Ortonville, MN; and DeLyla Kraines of Minnetonka, MN; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to either Rice Hospice or St. John's Catholic Church in Ortonville, MN.
Farming played a part in Orlend's life from the time he was a little boy with his father until he was a great-grandfather himself. At his father's insistence, Orlend left school following the eighth grade and took up farming full time. This led him to later buy his parents' farm and continue to work it while Irene took care of the children. Upon his retirement, Orlend and Irene moved to the shores of Big Stone Lake where they made their home for the next nineteen years. During his "retirement" Orlend continued to keep his hand in farming by selling feed. It was not until 1999 that the couple moved to town and true retirement finally began.
Orlend was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the board of the Odessa Elevator. In his free time, he enjoyed reading westerns, especially Louis L'Amour novels, and playing cards at the card parties that were held with friends. Orlend's retirement years were spent enjoying his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends, hunting, fishing and woodworking.
Orlend unquestioningly loved and supported his children throughout their lives and was very proud of them. He taught them through his quiet leadership the significance of honesty and integrity. He will be remembered by his family and friends as a strong but gentle man. He lived a life of sacrifice for his family and modeled the values he held.
Orlend passed away on Thursday, July 12, 2007, at the Northridge Residence Nursing Home in Ortonville, MN. He is preceded in death by his parents, Severt and Nettie; two brothers, Norel and Edloir Mathison, and his sister Gloria Bailey.
He is survived by his wife, Irene Mathison, of Ortonville, MN; children, Curt (Linda) Mathison of Forest Lake, MN; Mary (Al) Karels of Houston, TX; Jim (Kathie) Mathison of Midland, TX; Terry Freeman of Richfield, MN; Debbie (George) Peterson of Canby, MN; Brenda Mathison (Rayla Allison) of Bloomington, MN; Joy Mathison (Mary Ann McArdle) of Eagen, MN; and Brian (Stacy) Mathison of Moorhead, MN; sixteen grandchildren, Erik Mathison, John Mathison, Christopher Mathison, Tyler Mathison, Alex Mathison, Matthew Freeman, Kevin Peterson, Anthony Karels, Gregory Karels, Jennifer Staves, Sarah Camarillo, Leah Mathison, Katie Freeman, Beth Freeman, Carolyn Peterson, Morgan Mathison, sixteen great-grandchildren, three sisters: Miranda Redfield of Ortonville, MN; Dewana Amberg of Ortonville, MN; and DeLyla Kraines of Minnetonka, MN; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to either Rice Hospice or St. John's Catholic Church in Ortonville, MN.