Helen Matson

Helen Matson, age 83, of Fosston, MN, passed away on Monday, July 19th, at her home following a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 24th, at Bethel Assembly Church in Fosston with Pastor Seth Johnson officiating. Interment will be in Mamre Cemetery, rural Fosston. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Friday, July 23rd, and for one hour prior to the service on Saturday. All visitation will be held at Bethel Assembly Church. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Helen Jane Kramer Matson was born on October 2, 1937, at her family home near Bejou, Minnesota to parents Henry and Tillie (Haats) Kramer. She grew up in Bejou and attended school in Mahnomen, graduating from Mahnomen High School in 1955. She went on to attend Bemidji State University where she received her degree in elementary education. After graduation, she took her first teaching job in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Helen was united in marriage to Gerald Dean Matson on July 15, 1967, at the Assembly of God Church in St. Cloud. After their marriage, they lived in Brandsvold Township, north of Fosston, Minnesota. To this union, one daughter, Marcia, was born. In addition to caring for her home, Helen was a beloved second and third grade teacher at Magelssen Elementary in Fosston for 27 years. She retired in 1993. Jerry and Helen spent a couple winters in Florida and 20 years wintering in Arizona.

Faith was the cornerstone of Helen’s life. She was a Christ follower and an active member of Bethel Assembly Church in Fosston. She taught Sunday School for several years and volunteered her time for many events.

Helen was a wonderful cook and baker, making everything from scratch. She liked to share the fruits of her labor with her family and friends, and the guys in the field during harvest time.

Helen was also very artistic. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, and general crafting. She had a special talent for whittling wood into birds. She worked and sold her beautiful works at a store in Walker, Minnesota to fund her way through college.

She was known for her hospitality and enjoyed welcoming company into their home to share a meal and conversation. She loved playing games, shopping, and found great joy in gardening. She was an avid lover of nature.

Though she battled cancer for over 18 years, Helen continued to put forth a positive attitude and a smile. The teacher in her was always curious and she never stopped learning new things. She kept up on current events and had a life-long love of reading.

Helen will be lovingly remembered for her wonderful sense of humor, the way she cared for her family, the ambitious and hard worker that she was, and her steadfast love of the Lord.

Survivors include her loving husband of 54 years, Gerald, of Fosston, MN; one daughter, Marcia (Roger) Johnson of Eagan, MN; three grandchildren, Karley, Kayla, and Derek; siblings, Tom (Donna) of Harwood, ND, Sharon (Roger) Brandt of Tucson, AZ, Alvin (Arlene) of St. Cloud, MN, Harlyn of FL and MN, Doug (Joanie) of Bejou, MN, Betty (Mike) Gore of Marana, AZ, Larry (Eydie) of Westminster, CO, Linda O’Mara of Chandler, AZ, and Glenda Senkiw of Detroit Lakes, MN; brother-in-law, Sheldon (Judy) Matson of Fosston, and sister-in-law, Bonnie (Steve) Beery of Bloomington, MN. Nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Edwin, Selmer, Gladys, Marie, and David.