Joyce Marie Mattson

Joyce Marie (Hess) Mattson was received into the loving arms of our Lord and Savior on January 31, 2022. She was born to Ben and Laura (Coleman) Hess on October 22, 1944, Wesley Hospital, Wadena, MN. She attended country school and Menahga Public school. She was united in marriage to her Sebeka sweetheart, Dale Mattson on November 10, 1962. They were married in Grace Lutheran Church in Sebeka on deer hunting weekend. This union was blessed with three children: Jodi, Jacki and Darin. Joyce worked beside Dale on the farm west of Sebeka in Paddock Township. She helped sort cattle, drive tractor and rake/bale hay. In the early 70s they moved off the farm and built a home one-half mile to the north. Years later, they built a new home, again moving a little further north. Joyce and Dale grew vegetable gardens and planted flower beds, swapping perennials with many of their neighbors; poppies and peonies were her favorites. She knitted lap blankets and slippers for veterans. She loved to read, getting books from the bookmobile when it stopped in Hillview. She also loved crosswords and jigsaw puzzles. Over the years, Joyce belonged to various groups such as homemakers, TOPS, and church guilds. She particularly enjoyed time at “the cabin” on lower Twin Lake. She kept a journal from the time of the purchase of the undeveloped lot, recording each change and improvement to the property. She noted special events and visitors to the cabin. Her working years included employment as a Home Extension Agent for the State of Minnesota, working with low-income families, teaching budgeting, meal planning and homemaking skills. She also worked at the Four Seasons Motel in Wadena, the cheese plant in Sebeka, Gordy’s Greenhouse and Green Pine Acres in Menahga. She retired in 1981. Joyce and Dale celebrated 55 years of marriage just prior to his passing in 2017. Joyce was baptized, held a firm faith in the Lord, was a prayer warrior, and believed in life everlasting. She will be mourned and greatly missed by her children: Jodi Zutter, Jacki (David) Schoon and Darin (Heidi) Mattson, seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters – Villary Koski and Dorothy Marks, and husband, Dale. Visitation will be held Friday, February 4, 2022 from 5-7 p.m. at the Wevley Funeral Home is Sebeka. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, February 5 at 1 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Sebeka. Joyce will be laid to rest in Hillview Cemetery, Paddock Township.