Rapid City Journal – May 3, 2009
Rapid City Journal – May 3, 2009
HILL CITY - Clarence "Frenchy" Mattson, 84, of Hill City passed away on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at Custer Regional Senior Care Facility.
Frenchy was born April 4, 1925 in Ogema, WI to Robert and Bessie (Yunek) Mattson. He graduated from High School and enlisted in the United States Army, serving during WWII. Frenchy logged in Northern Idaho for a number of years before moving to the area in 1961 to work for the Forest Service. He was united in marriage to Myrtle Wood on November 27, 1965 in Rapid City. Frenchy worked primarily as a logger for the Forest Service and also a liaison officer on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
Frenchy enjoyed playing pool, hunting, fishing and working with his trail dogs. He was a former member of the Black Hills Fire Fighting Team.
He is survived by his wife Myrtle Mattson of Hill City, three daughters, Roberta Burnham and husband Terry of Sand Point, ID, Evonne Cameron of, AZ, and Tina Rabidue and husband Shane of Priest River, ID, two sons, Clarence "Sparky" Mattson of Walla Walla, WA, and Terry Mattson and wife Melissa of Gillette, WY, four step daughters, Yvonne Schmaljohn and husband George of Pasco, WA, Doris Schiefer and husband Jerry of Hill City, Janice Smith and husband Gary of Boise, ID, and Cathaleen Dahlgren and husband Jerry of Hay Springs, NE, one step son, Gary Wood and wife Rhonda of Caldwell, ID, two sisters, Betty Lyda and husband Jess of Orphena, ID, and Mary McKenzie and husband Neil of Boise, ID, daughter in law, Pamela Mattson of Custer, 37 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three sons, Eric, Milan and Mark, three brothers, Roy, Gilbert and Jerry and his sister, Marie.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City.
Services will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, at the funeral home. Burial with full military honors will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
Transcribed by Jo Frederiksen, 2014