Eugene L. "Jeep" Mattson

To watch a recording of the service, please use the link: https://youtu.be/4C0u2RCZPiU 

Eugene L. "Jeep" Mattson, 93, East Grand Forks, MN, died Friday, November 24, 2023 at Villa St. Vincent, Crookston, Minnesota. 

Eugene L. Mattson was born on April 5, 1930, in Grand Forks, ND.  He was the son of Adolf H. Mattson and Mathilda C. Erickson Mattson and was baptized at Bethesda Lutheran Church in East Grand Forks on July 13, 1930.

Jeep attended Pleasant View #78 Country School  for seven years and graduated from East Grand Forks High School in 1947.

Eugene married Mary Ann Elaine Grover at United Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, ND on June 27, 1950.  They lived on their farmstead north of East Grand Forks where they raised their five children.

He farmed the family farm until 1995 and then continued to help his sons for years to follow.  Eugene also farmed in Walsh County for thirty-four years, worked for American Crystal for five years and Hanson Farms for fifteen years. Jeep was a MN/ND State Potato Inspector for seven years and was the first potato inspector for Frito Lay in the area.  

Eugene served on the Church Council Board, Township Board, Rural School Board and was the Chairman of the Heritage Board of East Grand Forks for two years.  He was also a Real Estate Broker/Sales for twenty years only quitting after becoming a Polk County Commissioner to avoid any conflict of interest.

Jeep worked with Robert Pape Sr. and Olger Sandven to get funding to move the Granville Church to East Grand Forks.  He paid for its improvements as his parents were one of the first couples to get married there.

Eugene was a Polk County Commissioner for sixteen years and served on multiple boards Polk County was involved with. He was the President of Northwest Mental Health Center and helped secure funding for the first building that was built and also served on the Board of the Northwest Apartments for thirty-two years in Crookston as well as the Water Board.     

In 2002 he and two other families funded the Esther Township portion of the bridge that was built across the Grand Marais near their farmsteads.

Eugene enjoyed fishing and hunting in his younger years.  He and Mary Ann traveled to Texas, California and Arizona for many years.  They also took a road trip with his mother to Florida and Missouri. He enjoyed gardening and spending time on the farm.

Jeep is survived by his children; Susan McDowell (Randy Carlson), Christine McGaha (David), Erick Mattson (Kathy), Scott Mattson (Tracey) and Rebecca Mattson in addition to eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and special nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Andrew O. and Christine Erickson and Erick and Johanna Mattson (all immigrants of Sweden), his parents, his beloved wife, Mary Ann, sister, Adeline Teigland, son-in-law, Donald (Mac) McDowell, aunts and uncles in addition to multiple brother and sisters-in-law, and cousins.

Between 2010 and 2014 Jeep lost his wife, mother, sister, three brothers-in-law, a sister-in-law and two aunts.

The family wishes to thank family friends Glenn Hanson, Verna and Jim Lambert, June and Clyde Ziegelmann, Tammy and Paul Kvernen, and Connie Anderson for their love and support of Dad for many years!

A visitation will be held at Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 South 42nd Street, Grand Forks, ND on Sunday, December 3, 2023 from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.  followed by a prayer service.   The funeral will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church, 10321 MN-220, East Grand Forks on Monday, December 4, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.   A private burial will be held at a later date.