Delbert Allen Mattson's Obituary
Delbert Mattson June 11, 1943 ~ February 5,2018
Delbert Mattson was born June 11, 1943 to Lillian and Leonard Mattson at the St. Helens Hospital on North 4th.
Delbert graduated St. Helens High School in 1961. During his school years he enjoyed hunting and fishing the fields and wetlands around the St. Helens area (sometimes even before he went to school). Del worked at Safeway while attending high school. After graduation Delbert began working at the Boise Cascade Paper mill in St. Helens.
Del married Jeanette Van Dolah at the St. Helens United Methodist Church on July 25, 1964.
Delbert was Drafted into the Army September of 1965 and served in Vietnam as a Sergeant with the 3rd Battalion 8th Infantry & 4th Infantry Division from December 1, 1965 - September 11, 1967. Del was honorably discharged after being stationed at Fort Lewis. This call to duty forever impacted him.
Del bought himself a brand new 1967 Mercury Cougar GT off the show room floor at Olinger Ford in Beaverton when he got home. Del and Jeanette had their daughters Kim and Allison.
Del returned home and went back to work at Boise Cascade. Del worked in the finishing room then as a Pipe Fitter and later as the Fire Chief of the mill until he retired on his 60th birthday in 2003 after 40 years of working at Boise Cascade. He was an active member of the AWPPW Local #1 union.
Del was an avid hunter and fisherman his entire life, Deer, Elk, Antelope, Coyotes, Bear, Cougar, Salmon, Trout, & Sturgeon to name a few of his pursuits. He enjoyed participating in the local car shows and watching NASCAR. He enjoyed Clam digging while spending time at his beach house in Ocean Park, Washington. Del loved sports and played men’s league slow pitch softball as well as enjoyed watching his grandsons play sports growing up. He loved to watch local college and pro teams until they were losing bad then he would turn the channel. His family loved to tell him when they came back and won!
Delbert is survived by his wife of 53 years Jeanette, Daughters Kim and Allison and her husband Brent Ziemer, grandsons Devon and Dylan Brady. He is preceded by his parents Leonard & Lillian Mattson and brother Derald “Matt” Mattson.
A Memorial Service for Delbert will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 1:00pm at the St. Helen’s Elks Lodge located at 350 Belton Rd, St Helens, OR 97051.
Memorial contributions can be made to the St. Helens Backpack program thru the St. Helens United Methodist Church 560 Columbia Blvd St Helens Oregon 97051
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