John "Jack" C. Mattson

John C. “Jack” Mattson, 73 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at the Lakota Good Samaritan Center.

John Curtis Mattson was born on October 28, 1945 at Bowbells, ND the son of John and Eunice (Anderson) Mattson. He was raised in Kenmare, attended Kenmare Public School and graduated from Kenmare High School with the class of 1963.  While in Kenmare, he frequently helped his grandfather on the farm in Flaxton.

Jack entered the United States Army on October 16, 1963 and honorably served his country. He had two tours of duty in Vietnam and several tours in Germany.  He served as a Central Office and Crypto Repairer and a Communications Specialist until honorably discharged on October 31, 1983 at Fort Huachuca, Arizona with the rank of Staff Sergeant. 

Jack was united in marriage to Roberta “Bobbi” Werner on December 8, 1982 and they made their home in Arizona until Jack retired from the military. They returned to North Dakota, but had a bit of a wandering spirit and lived in Donnybrook, Texas, Montana until coming home to the Lake Region in 1989. At that time, Jack began a 22 year career as the Site Supervisor at the Fort Totten Historic Site (Calvary Square). He retired in 2011 due to health issues. 

Jack was made for the job at Fort Totten. He was a jack of all trades, could act as plumber, electrician and gardener. He could fix anything and was always “tinkering” with something. Also he was a people person. Jack never met a stranger, a few minutes conversation and you were Jack’s friend.  When he wasn’t visiting with the visitors to Calvary Square, Jack enjoyed spending time with his friends at Proz’s and Pop’s. 

Jack was a member of the Kenmare Lutheran Church and life member of the American Legion and VFW.

Jack served proudly served his country, was faithful to his Lord and Savior, was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather and a dear friend and fellow soldier to many. He loved his family with all his heart.

Jack is survived by his wife Bobbi; daughters Tammy Gresham and Tanya Mattson both of Copperas Cove, TX; step son Mike Englman, Devils Lake and step daughter Lori Russel, Kansas City, MO; grandchildren Alicia (Alan) Manning, Justin Gresham, Tabatha Mattson, Colton and Levi Englman, Susan (Houston) Mooneyhan, Nathan (Lindsey) Russel and Dava Westmoreland; great grandchildren Makayla, Rowdy, Colton, Nathan, DJ, Edelyn, Aiden and twins Boston and Brooklyn; sisters Cheryl (Doug) Sanderfeld, Sioux Falls, SD, Judy (Bryan) Pownell, Rozet, WY, Candy (Dave) Jensen, Kenmare, ND and Margey Rudland also of Sioux Falls; many nieces, nephews and their families also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson Chad, in-laws Clarence and Emma Miller, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral Services for Jack will be held on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars ansd the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.  Graveside Services will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, rural Mandan, ND on Friday, October 4, 2019 at 12:00 p.m.

Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday, October 1^st from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and will continue on Wednesday at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.