Lorraine B. Mattson

Lorraine B. Mattson, 88, North St. Paul, Minn., passed away peacefully Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, of Alzheimer’s disease.

Lorraine was born Nov. 18, 1933, in Eau Claire, to Alfred and Clara Lund.

She and her two siblings grew up surrounded by Norwegian traditions, in a brick bungalow built by her father. At the age of four, she required ear surgery and it was at that young age, that she decided to become a nurse. She never considered any other career.

Lorraine attended Eau Claire High School, where she played viola in the orchestra, and received awards for typing and shorthand. After graduation, she enrolled at Luther School of Nursing in Eau Claire, and proudly achieved her dream of becoming an RN in 1954.

In the spring of 1954, she began corresponding with her future husband, Melvin Mattson, who was stationed in Germany. They were married at Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, in 1955.

They moved to North St. Paul, Minn., in 1959, where they raised three children. Lorraine was a beloved member of her neighborhood, always willing to lend a hand.

Lorraine’s 44-year nursing career included early work at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire, and Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis, Minn., where a surgeon described her as the best scrub nurse he ever had, or ever would, have.

Upon moving to North St. Paul, Minn., she began working at Miller Hospital in St. Paul, Minn., and continued at United Hospital until 1998. Her love of nursing was second only to her love for her family.

True to her Norwegian heritage, Lorraine was an accomplished baker of lefse, krumkake and sandbakkles, often sharing her homemade treats with friends and neighbors. Other hobbies included knitting and collecting antiques, an interest she shared with her husband.

She is survived by and will be deeply missed by children – Debra (Bob) Bosak, Barbara (Claude) Forshier and Jonathan (Lisa) Mattson; grandchildren – Jennifer (Ryan) Herbenson, Jackie (Sam) Thesing, Brian Bosak and Emma Mattson; great-grandchildren – Penelope, Olivia and Lucy Jo; sister – Doris (Ken) Moxness; sister-in-law – Dr. Carol Porth; and many cousins; nieces; nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by husband of 60 years – Melvin; parents – Alfred and Clara Lund; and brother – Arnold Lund.

Visitation was held Saturday, Dec. 18, from 10-11 a.m., at Sandburg Funeral Home in North St. Paul, Minn., with the funeral service following. Private interment will be at the Lakeview Cemetery in Mahtomedi, Minn.

Memorials are preferred to the Johanna Shores Employee Appreciation Fund or St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in North St. Paul, Minn.

The Mattson family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the caring staff at Johanna Shores and the wonderful nurses at Optage Hospice.

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