The funeral service for Marvin Mattson, 85, of Balaton, will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 29, 2021, at Sillerud Lutheran Church in Balaton. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will take place at a later date. Masks are required at all indoor events and social distancing guidelines will be followed at all times.
Marvin Elwood Mattson was born on April 28, 1935, in Tyler to Floyd and Dora (Bylander) Mattson. He attended country school in Murray County District 45 and graduated from Balaton High School in 1954. On April 3, 1955, he was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Skaug. The couple had three children: Michael, Maren and Marc. Marvin served in the U.S. Army as a Supply Specialist from 1955 – 1957. After his discharge, he worked doing construction on the new Balaton High School for a year. He then took over the family farm in Balaton where he lived his whole life. The farm was recognized as a Century Farm in 2006. Marvin collected Allis Chalmers tractors as a hobby. He also enjoyed watching his family’s activities. Since Marvin never knew his own grandparents, his grandchildren were especially important to him. Marvin was a Charter Member of the Balaton Historical Society and was an active member of Sillerud Lutheran Church where he served as an usher, on church council and the cemetery board. Marvin served as caretaker of the church for 25 years.
Marvin died on Monday, January 18, 2021, at his residence in Balaton under hospice care. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen, of Balaton, son Mike (and Kris) of St. Cloud, daughter-in-law Geri Mattson of Tracy; grandson Derek (and Katie) Michalski, great-grandchildren Willa, Maeve and one expected in July; granddaughter Mindy Michalski (fiancé D’Andre Williamson)great-granddaughter Nova; granddaughter Kacy Clark; granddaughter Peyton Clark, great-grandson Major; grandson Eric Mattson; granddaughter Marissa Ford, great-grandchildren Henry and Beatrice; granddaughter Lindsay Mattson (and Steve), great-grandson Bentley Mattson, great-granddaughter Sophia Mattson; step-grandchildren Hailey Erbes, Allen (and Kalei) Erbes, Madison Majeres, Travis (and Kristine) Goerger; sisters-in-law Connie Skaug of Balaton and Marlene Mattson of Windom and siblings Einer (and Bev) Mattson of Arden Hills and Evadene Keena of Cottage Grove. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Maren Mattson Michalski and son Marc Mattson, grandson David Mattson, brother Alden Mattson and sister Eleanor Nelson.