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Mattson, Allen “Al”

Allen “Al” Mattson, age 85, of Clintonville passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Appleton.

Allen Lee Mattson was born on March 22, 1932 in Milwaukee to John and Agnes (Kalms) Mattson. He graduated from Boy’s Technical High School in Milwaukee. Al entered the U.S. Army and served in Korea from 1952 to 1954. Following the military he attended UW Stout receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Arts Education in 1959. He was united in marriage on June 6, 1959 to Octe K. Heis in Milwaukee. After marriage the couple moved to Orting, Washington, where they lived two years and began their teaching careers. In the summer of 1961 they returned to Wisconsin. He went on to completing his Master’s Degree in Guidance Counseling at Stout in 1962. Al was a draftsman for several years at Johnson Controls in Milwaukee. In 1962 he began his employment with the Clintonville School District. He worked at the high school as a Guidance Counselor and then taught Driver’s Education and also Woodshop for many years, until retiring in 1993. Al was a longtime member of Christus Lutheran Church, Clintonville, where he was active on several committees, played on the dart ball team, and helped with countless projects at the church camp. He volunteered with numerous tasks in our community whether through the school, church, or the Lions Club. In 2005 he was proud to go to Mississippi with a volunteer group to help out for Hurricane Katrina. Al was the stalwart of the Clintonville Lions Club, having been a member of since 1971. Through his vision, leadership, many talents, and compassion for others he donated many, many hours to the club activities and community service. Noteworthy is his steadfast leadership in the constructing and installing of wheelchair ramps for those in need. Since 1999 through all his efforts and guidance the club has installed 46 ramps in our community, with the last one being done under his supervision while being extremely sick. Over the years Al served in every club position, but held the office of Secretary or President for many of them. He was the driving force behind creating the club’s Parade Float, the Rose Sale fundraiser, and rejuvenating the local Skate Park. His other interests included golfing at Glen Cairn and going on his annual fishing trip to Canada for walleye or northern. He has a large collection of antique hand tools and liked to explain to younger folks how they were used. For many years the couple also enjoyed traveling with their camper. Al will be remembered most as a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grandfather.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Octe; and two children, Kevin (Julie) Mattson of Ogdensburg and Kyla (Jon) Heiman of Marion. There are three grandchildren, Kyle Mattson, Kristyn Mattson, and Andrew Pingel. There is one brother, Eugene (Esther) Mattson of Mequon, and one brother-in-law, Tom (Shirley) Heis of Aberdeen, SD. He is further survived by many other relatives and friends. Al is preceded in death by his parents, and a granddaughter Kendra Mattson.

Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, July 19th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Martin Lutheran Church, Clintonville. Rev. Brian Crocker will officiate and inurnment will be at Greenwood Cemetery in the Township of Matteson, Waupaca County. Military Honors will be provided at church by members of the VFW Post 664, American Legion Post 63, and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 63, all of Clintonville. Friends may call on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at the church. The Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville, is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Christus Lutheran Church or to the Clintonville Lions Club.

A heartfelt thank you to St. Martin’s for allowing dad’s funeral to be held at their church while Christus is currently under renovation. We wish to thank all the nurses and staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital, especially the Wound Clinic and Dr. Saeed Ally. We also want to thank doctors Johnson and Boye for their excellent care given to Al.

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