Lillian Emma Matson

Lillian Emma Matson, 94, rose to Glory as the sun was rising Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at Sienna Meadows Memory Care in Oregon, Wis.

A memorial service will be held at THE ASSEMBLY HOSPITALITY ROOM, 3500 West New Orleans, Broken Arrow, Okla., at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, with Pastor Warren Heckman presiding. A visitation will be held at The Assembly from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Arrangements are being made by Hayhurst Funeral Home in Broken Arrow.

Lillian was born on June 2, 1930, to Charlie and Hannah (Lundmark) Stenlund. Old Doc Forrest drove his Model A to the small farmhouse East of Clearbrook, Minn., to make the delivery. Both her parents were born in Sweden and met after settling in Leonard, Minn. Lillian taught herself to play piano for church when she was 13. She went to Birchmont country school, graduated from Clearbrook High School in 1948 and married Curtiss Matson the next weekend on her 18th birthday. Their first 13 years of marriage were spent moving around the country for different jobs, living in their Air-Stream trailer, until building a house in Fosston, Minn., and settling down close to family and friends. There they were involved in the community and church and made additional lasting friendships. In 1974 Curt sold his snowmobile business and they moved to Broken Arrow. During that time, he built two new homes for his family while pursuing several business ventures. Lillian enjoyed homemaking, crocheting, entertaining and music.

Retirement enabled them to spend winter months in Mesa, Ariz., reunited with many of the cousins who grew up together in northern Minnesota. Lillian continued living at home with her daughter, Rita, and family after Curt died in 2012 until she moved to Wisconsin in 2019. She maintained a strong faith in her Lord and Savior throughout her life that saw her through good times and bad.

Lillian is survived by her daughters, Peggy (Jim) Govier, McFarland, Wis., and Rita (Mark) Peck, Billings, Mont.; and five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Curtiss; daughter, Pamela; son-in-law, Tracy Vandament; grand-son-in-law, Junior Pantry; parents, Charlie and Hannah Stenlund; brother, Lester Stenlund; and sisters, Linnea Beckstrand, Ruby Kilborn and Ilet Norman.

“Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy-to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Oklahoma Teen Challenge Freedom House, 237 W. North Ave., Checotah, OK 74426 (www.okteenchallenge.com/freedom-house-women-18).

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420