Wayne F. Mattison

Wayne Francis Mattison, 85, of Jordan, Minn., died December 31, 2024, at St. Francis Hospital with Judy, his devoted wife of 62 years, by his side. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 10:30 AM with visitation one-hour prior at Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic Church (200 E Church Street) in Belle Plaine. Father Michael Kaluza will preside. Wayne will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM (Assembly Area #2) with full military honors provided by the Fort Snelling Honor Guard.

He was born August 9, 1939, in Winona, Minn., the second child of Wilferd and Genevieve (Smith) Mattison. He graduated from Winona’s Cotter High School in 1957 and St. Mary’s College in 1961 with a degree in business. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1962. Wayne was assigned to San Diego, where he served on active duty for 3 years; after many years in the Naval Reserves, he retired as a Lieutenant Commander in 1981. 

Wayne met Judith Ann Shobaken in college, and they were wed in the Naval Chapel in San Diego on November 24, 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. They have four daughters (Anne, Kristin, Sarah, and Meghan) and six grandchildren. Wayne worked mostly in human resources for several companies in Minnesota and Kansas City, including a year abroad in Brussels, Belgium. He and Judy retired to a golfing community in Ocala, Fla., for 17 years before returning to Minnesota.

Wayne was a strong Catholic and true family man. His daughters’ and family’s lives and activities were always uppermost in his mind. Staying in touch with friends near and far was also very important to him. Wayne was active in church as a reader and in other roles. He loved music, reading, following college sports (especially basketball) on TV, and playing cards. He was an avid golfer. When he could no longer golf, he continued to support his wife’s golfing efforts. He enjoyed driving the golf cart for her…and kindly pointing out what she was doing wrong.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Judy; daughters Anne Mattison (Kent Sturcken) of Reston, Va., Kristin Ruhland of Blaine, Sarah (Wayne) Paaverud of Blaine, and Meghan (Christopher) Anderson of Edina; grandchildren Ethan and Abby Ruhland, Eleanor and Maxwell Paaverud, and Signe and Ruby Anderson; and brother Stephen. Wayne was preceded in death by his older sister, Shirley Pronzinski.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following charities:

Our Lady of the Prairie Church, Belle Plaine, MN - www.ourladyoftheprairie.com

Loaves and Fishes Minnesota - www.loavesandfishesmn.org