Bruce Edwin Mattson

Bruce E. Mattson, 89, of Lake Lillian, died Friday, July 24th at CentraCare Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. His graveside service will be at 3:00 pm, Monday, August 3rd at Tripolis Lutheran Cemetery in rural Kandiyohi. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 pm, Monday at Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org  

Bruce Edwin Mattson was born on May 18, 1937, in Willmar, Minnesota, to Edwin and Dorothy (McCutchan) Mattson. He was baptized and confirmed at Tripolis Lutheran Church in rural Kandiyohi. Bruce grew up on the north side of Little Kandiyohi Lake, where he began farming with his father at a young age. As the only child of Edwin and Dorothy, he learned to drive a tractor as soon as he could reach the pedals. In the early 1950s, the family moved to the south side of the lake. Bruce attended Country School District No. 39 and graduated from Willmar High School in 1955. After school, he could often be found cultivating fields with his Ford 8N tractor.

On July 29, 1961, Bruce was united in marriage to Janice Larson at Tripolis Lutheran Church. They were blessed with three children: Sandra, Scott, and Steve. Bruce continued farming throughout his life, a career he truly enjoyed. He also liked helping neighboring farm families, including the Mattsons, Klints, and Dahlines.

Bruce was a lifelong member of Tripolis Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council and cemetery board. He also served on the Lake Lillian Creamery Board.

Bruce and Janice enjoyed traveling together, with favorite destinations including the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the Black Hills, and Mackinac Island. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in sports and school activities and liked taking them fishing. Bruce also played men's fast-pitch softball and participated in antique tractor pulls for more than 30 years.

Bruce will be remembered for his sense of humor, his many stories, and his lifelong dedication to his family, his faith, and farming.

He is survived by his wife, Janice of Lake Lillian; children: Sandy (Curt) Stierler of Spicer, Scott (Marisa) Mattson of Lake Lillian and Steve Mattson of Lake Lillian; grandchildren: Ashley and Rory Stierler, and Kiley, Jacob and Derek Mattson; great-grandchildren: Ethan, Lucas, Sophie, Zoey and JJ. He was preceded in death by his parents.

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