Lucile C. Matson

Lucile C. Matson, 101, of Fort Dodge, IA, died Friday, October 22, 2021, at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home. Visitation will be at 10:30 AM followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 29, 2021, at Northfield Church of Christ, 2933 N. 15th Street, with Pastor Dale Harlow officiating. Inurnment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion, IA. Memorials may be given to the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home.

Lucile was born October 29, 1919, in Dows, IA, the daughter of Earl Morris and Nellie (Brinkman) Carpenter. Her parents moved to the Mankato, MN area while Lucile was yet a baby. She attended and graduated from St. Clair, Minnesota public schools, after which she attended and graduated from the two-year teaching curriculum at the Mankato Teacher's College, presently Mankato State University. She taught two years in a rural Blue Earth Country School, then one year at Mountain Mission School, Grundy, Virginia. She married Milton K. Matson on July 3, 1942, in Yuma, AZ. They were married over 68 years.

Among her residences were San Diego, California; Denver, Colorado; San Antonio, Bonham, San Marcos, Austin and El Paso, Texas as she followed her Air Force husband during and after World War II. Since 1948, she and her husband had been residents of Fort Dodge.

Lucile did some teaching in the old Wahkonsa school, worked at Lutheran Hospital switchboard and Globe Union Electronics and operated Holmdahl Westside Grocery for a couple years. Her main local contribution occurred during 26 years as Children's Librarian in the Fort Dodge Public Library, until her retirement in 1991. Many children knew her as Aunt Cile. Lucile enjoyed reading, crocheting, crafts and writing letters & cards to family and friends. She was a charter member of Northfield Church of Christ and its predecessor, Fort Dodge Church of Christ, where she taught children and was a leader in the women's organization for many years. Lucile was the ideal Christian wife, mother, and friend. Lucile had a motto to live by: “Only one life, twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.”

Lucile is survived by three children: Enos Matson and wife Janet of Dubuque, IA, Pat Jorgensen and husband Gary of Moorland, and Bettsi Iddings and husband Walter of Corning, NY; 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings, Calvin and Bonnie Mae Carpenter; her husband in 2011; and her daughter Marynell Pooch and husband Bill.