Susan Arline Matson, 93, of Centuria, Wisconsin, went home to be with the Lord on July 6 surrounded by her loving family. Susan was born July 3, 1930, to Harold and Gertrude (Christensen) Johnson in St. Paul, Minnesota. The family moved to Eureka Township when Susan was 16, and she graduated from St. Croix Falls High School in 1948. Two months later, on July 24, this girl from the city married the boy from the farm next door, Alvin Matson. The Lord blessed them with 74 years of marriage, four children, nine grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
After 10 years on the “home farm,” the family lived briefly in St. Croix Falls and Atlas, and finally bought a farm near Centuria in 1963, where Susan lived until her passing. Susan was a devoted mother, homemaker and hardworking wife who helped with farm chores in the barn. She also worked for many years at the Sears catalog store in St. Croix Falls and at Matson Tax Service.
Susan faithfully served at Eureka Baptist Church as a Sunday school teacher, treasurer, librarian and choir member. She loved cooking and baking, making family favorites and trying new recipes. Susan was a talented seamstress. Her flower gardens were beautiful, especially her favorite peonies and irises, which she shared with others. Susan was an avid reader and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, even into her 90s. She cherished time spent with her family. When they would stop at the farm for a surprise visit, she was always ready with a full cookie jar or frozen ice cream treats.
Susan is survived by her children, Valerie (Larry) Hanson, Brian (Ruth) Matson and Jolene (Richard) Polosky; daughter-in-law, Carol Matson; grandchildren, Tony (Megan) Hanson, Andrew (Laura) Hanson, Karen (Jason) Wredberg, Peter (Cindy) Matson, Romni (Nick) Henderson, Drew Matson, Kelly (Tate) Watts, Mark (Margo) Matson and Luke (Rachel) Matson; great-grandchildren, Drew, Anna, Jack, Meredith, Jonathan, Gideon, Samantha, Cameron, Carter, Lara, Hank, Micah, Seth, Cora, Brooks, Lucy, Noah and Alexis; sister-in-law, Joan Johnson; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Susan was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Matson; son, Bruce Matson; parents, Harold and Gertrude Johnson; brothers, Richard Johnson and Robert Johnson; and daughter-in-law, Evy (Ericson) Matson.
The family is grateful for the care Susan received from the Adoray hospice team and for the support and knowledge they provided to her family caregivers. Memorials may be given to Eureka Baptist Church.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, July 14, at Eureka Baptist Church, Eureka, Wisconsin. A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, July 13, at the Grandstrand Funeral Home, Osceola, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Arrangements are with the Grandstrand Funeral Home, Osceola. Condolences may be expressed online at grandstrandfh.com.
