Mary Mattson
Richter, 103, of Ironwood, Mich., died peacefully Sunday, March 24, 2013, in
Hurley, three days before her 104th birthday. The former Mary Laitila was born
March 27, 1909, in National Mine, Mich., daughter of the late Stefanus and
Susanna (Simola) Laitila, and came to Ironwood in her teens from Paynesville,
Mich. She married Earl Mattson on Aug.
17, 1930. He preceded her in death on Oct. 12, 1965. She then married Erwin Richter
on April 8, 1978. He preceded her in death on March 8, 1981. Mary worked as a cook at
Josephson Nursing Home in Ironwood for seven years, retiring in 1973. She was a
member of Zion Lutheran Church in Ironwood, the Zion Quilting Club and Erwin
Community Club. She enjoyed gardening, knitting, crocheting, reading and dining
out. A terrific mom, grandma, great-grandma and great-great-grandma, she will be
dearly missed. Surviving are two daughters,
Dolores "Dolly" (Melvin) Luoma, Ironwood, and Joyce O'Krongly, Florence, Wis.;
two daughters-in-law, Gail Mattson, Hurley, and Sue Mattson, Ironwood; three
stepsons, Erwin (Pam) Richter, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Ray (Jann) Richter, Ironwood
Township, and Tom (Sandy) Richter, Bessemer, Mich.; ten grandchildren, Gary
(Ginny) Carlson, San Jose, Calif., Randy (Mary) Carlson, Golden Valley, Minn.,
Sharon (Tom) Ravelli, Ironwood, Mary Schmidt, Hayward, Wis., Bob (Ad) O'Krongly,
Milwaukee, Jeff (Diane) O'Krongly, Mercer, Karen (Rich) Konecny, Milwaukee,
Christine (Rick) Knepper, Florence, Darrell (Kim) Mattson, Red Wing, Minn., and
Lynne Stenroos, Ironwood; 20 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren;
10 stepgrandchildren, Rev. Kay Richter, Lori (Jim) Williams, Doug Richter (Cathy
Holland), Rick (Sherrie) Richter, Tim (Laurie) Richter, Dan Richter (Cindy
Jaskowski), Perry (Cathy) Richter, Belinda (Nick) Campanelli, Todd Richter, and
Brett (Sharon Richter; 13 stepgreat-grandchildren; two
stepgreat-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and
husbands, Mary was preceded in death by two sons, Richard and Roland Mattson; a
stepson, Donald Richter; sons-in-law, John Carlson, the Rev. H. LeRoy Peterson,
and Robert O'Krongly; brothers, Albert, Paul, Wilho, George, Walter, Matt and
Jacob Laitila; and sisters, Helen Howard, Helia Townsend and Lina
Larson. Out of respect for Mary's
wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held
Saturday, May 25, at 4 p.m., preceded by visitation at 3 p.m., at the
McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Kay
Richter officiating. Interment will be in Riverside
Cemetery, Ironwood. Arrangements are entrusted to
McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood, where
condolences may be given online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com