Stanley E. Matheson, age 88, passed away October 11, 2024. A Funeral Service will be held at Mansfield Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 19 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Don Rose officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Freeborn County Veterans Group.
Stanley Elwood Matheson was born November 21, 1935 in rural Kossuth County to Selmer and Genevieve (Halvorson) Matheson. He was baptized December 15, 1935, and confirmed May 7, 1950, both at Zion Lutheran Church in Rake, Iowa. He attended school in Rake, Iowa and Frost, Minnesota where he participated in baseball, football, and basketball. He graduated from Frost High School in 1953. He later volunteered for the draft and served the US Army at Fort Leonardwood, MO and Fort Benning, GA. He was an active member of Legion Post #317 Emmons who are providing military honors. While serving in the army, he received an early medical hardship discharge following his father’s stroke to help with the family produce business.
On June 15, 1957, he married Sonja Anna Lunning at Frost Lutheran Church. They were blessed with four daughters; Carmen, RaAnna, Jodi, and Natalie.
Stan worked for P.H. Thompson Construction in Frost before moving the family to the Conger area. He worked at all three corrugated box plants in Albert Lea, retiring from MCB. He then mowed for the Albert Lea Park & Recreation Department for 17 years. Stan’s hobbies were reading, especially WWII books, working on their acreage raising pigs, cattle, ducks, and chickens as well as working in their large garden. His Farmall tractor was his joy (which Soni called his “toy”). He enjoyed giving hay rides at the many family gatherings they hosted. He liked to strike up conversations with those he met and often they would become lifelong friends.
Stan is survived by his wife, Sonja of 67 years; daughters: Carmen Matheson, RaAnna (Paul) Pestorious, Jodi (Al) Anderson, Natalie (John) Hurtley; grandchildren: JoLein (Dan) O’Brien and their sons Danny & Norman, Jeremiah (Ginger) Davis and their daughter Claudia, Jessica (Evan) Reed, Joshua (Olivia) Davis and their sons Harold & Edmund, Justine (Roman) Voronkov and their daughter Sonja, Chad (Lori) Pestorious and their son Haydan, Jade (Amy) Pestorious and their children Mya, Ryder, and Kaylee, BrieAnn Pestorious; Sisters: Marvis Dolan, Vivian Petersen, Geraldine Holmseth, Charlene Zimmerman, Elaine (Bob) Weiner, and Kathy (John) Bang; sisters-in-law: Dona Matheson, Lee Gordon and brother-in-law, Gayle (Diane) Lunning.
Stan was preceded in death by parents, Selmer and Genevieve Matheson; brother, Carlyle Matheson, parents-in-law; Harold and Alice Lunning; in-laws: Henry Dolan, Paul Petersen, Merrill Holmseth, Gary Zimmerman, Elwood and Rochelle Langsev.
A special thank you to the Hospice girls: Jenna, Erin, Stacy, Jenny, Beth, Jackie, Kasi, and Michelle.
I’m so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. May he rest in peace and you find comfort in your memories and God’s love.
Dear Matheson family (RaAnna), I am so sorry for your loss. I know how close all of you were with your dad. RaAnna spoke so highly of him.
I am so fortunate to have met him. I hope you can feel my hugs hugging all of you. Your dad was blessed to have had four daughters and a wife! He was a great girl dad for sure!
My God grant you peace and comfort knowing he is with our Lord and Savior.
“so sorry to hear about the passing of Stan, Prayers to the families”!!!
My Deepest sympathy to your entire family. Stan was a kind and thoughtful Neighbor and friend. He enjoyed the peacefulness of his beloved farm yard. Raising his family of girls and showing them all his true values in life. Doug and I always enjoyed Stan and Sonia, Stan, would always say well Hi Neighbor with a big smile . He was always willing to help, or just have a good visit. Stan, will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Please Find comfort in your Faith and the love from your family and friends, My prayers to you all,
Stan was all class. To me he was “Stan the Man”. Always enjoyed seeing him. My sympathies to Sonja and his family.
Dear Stan’s Family,
A neighbor just told me of his passing. I am so very sorry for your loss. When Stan and Sonya moved into the neighborhood I met them a few times when they were out walking. What a beautiful couple. I recently met Stan in early morning hours and we shared a cup of coffee. He was so much fun to talk to and was very proud of his girls. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.