A Celebration of Life service to honor the life and legacy of Arlin Mattison, age 91, of Lakefield, will be held at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lakefield on Saturday, August 9th at 11:00 AM, with a time of visitation and gathering from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at the church in Lakefield. Military honors will be provided. Burial will be at Delafield Township Cemetery in rural Jackson County.

Arlin Mattison passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at the Sanford Jackson Medical Center in Jackson.

Arlin Jerold Mattison was born on August 22, 1933, in Highwater Township of Cottonwood County, Minnesota, to Minnerd and Leona (Quiring) Mattison. He grew up on the family farm and attended Country School #37 through the eighth grade before graduating from Lamberton High School in the Class of 1953. Following high school, Arlin proudly served his country in the United States Army. He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood and received an honorable discharge in 1956.

On September 23, 1956, Arlin was united in marriage to Margaret "Peggy" Ann Larson. They made their home in Jeffers, Minnesota, where Arlin was employed as a tractor mechanic. They moved to rural Jackson in 1960. His love of outdoors took him to several other jobs cutting down trees, farming, trucking corn and gravel, and maintaining township roads. Arlin made many friends because of his interest in restoring antique tractors, including his Farmall H, which he entered in tractor pulls, parades, and threshing bees. Arlin made rope for family and friends and demonstrated his talent at several events with hope that the art of rope making would be passed on to future generations.

Arlin and Peggy were blessed with three children, Julie, Carmen, Waylan, and many who call him "Grandpa" and "Great Grandpa". Arlin was a quiet, behind-the-scenes guy who had many ideas and always figured out ways to make them work. He built projects to make work better and life safer. Many brought him things to repair because they knew he could fix anything.

A man of deep faith and strong community ties, Arlin was a member of Union State Line Lutheran Church in Petersburg, where he served on the church council, ushered, and helped guide young people as a youth advisor. As a volunteer, 20 years were spent in activities of Lutheran Brotherhood, Fort Belmont and Thrivent Financial. He was a member of the Butterfield Threshing Association. Arlin enjoyed the fellowship of his coffee buddies in the Petersburg shop, and watching NASCAR races.

Arlin passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Sanford Jackson Medical Center in Jackson, Minnesota, at the age of 91 years.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Margaret "Peggy" Mattison of Lakefield; children, Julie (Tom) Winter of Elysian, Carmen (Steve) Hohensee of Worthington, and Waylan (Stacie) Mattison of Mapleton; grandchildren, Brandon (Robyn) Winter, Aaron (Annie) Winter, Jordan (Joee) Winter, Jackie (Travis) Morrison, Kyle Hohensee, Nolan (Kaleigh Yttreness) Mattison, Hayden Mattison, and Alayna Mattison; thirteen great-grandchildren, Xander, Wyatt, Amelia, Josiah, Maxwell, Lauryn, Signe, Anja, Summer, Daly, Dominic, Trae and Ryder; sister, Janet (Jerry) Hochstein of Windom, as well as several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Arlin was preceded in death by his parents, Minnerd and Leona Mattison; brothers, Myron (Lois) Mattison and Dennis (Marjorie) Mattison; and sister, Luetta (James) Engen.

Arlin will be remembered for his quiet determination, love for family, devotion to his faith, and deep commitment to helping others.