JUDITH A. IWASKO

Judith A. Iwasko, age 86, of Grand Rapids, MN passed away peacefully in the loving care of the Grand Village Staff, Moments Hospice, and with her sons present on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Grand Village, Grand Rapids, MN.

Judith was born in 1939 in Duluth, MN to Albert and Gertrude (Strand) Iwasko.  She graduated from Cloquet High School in 1957.  Following her graduation from high school, she attended Western Michigan University for one year and returned home to help her family.  Judith was united in marriage to Carl “David” Matteson from 1959 until 1988 and they had two children, Mark and Brian. She began her career working at Cloquet Junior High School in the principal’s office and then for various community colleges which included Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids, MN, Brainerd Lakes Community College, Brainerd, MN, and then Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet, MN.  On March 3, 1990, Judith was united in marriage to David Nelson, and they made their home in Cromwell, MN for ten years and then Moose Lake, MN for 22 years.  Judith and David moved to the Grand Rapids Area in 2023 to be closer to family.  

She is preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Gerry (Ann) Iwasko, Ron (Katherine) Iwasko, and Albert Iwasko Jr.; former husband, Carl “David” Matteson.

Judith is survived by her husband, David Nelson; sons, Mark (Pam) Matteson of Grand Rapids, MN and Brian (Anna) Matteson of Boise, ID; step children, Ruth (Bob) Peterson of Pharr, TX, Nicole Nelson of Bemidji, MN, and Nathan Nelson of Bemidji, MN; sister, Katherine Iwasko of Shoreview, MN; sister-in-law, Joyce Iwasko of Dayton, OH; 2 grandchildren, Nils and Sofia Matteson; 6 step grandchildren, Shiloh (Michael) Chapa, Aliya (Josue) Rodriguez, Cassidy (Caleb) McCoy, Grant Peterson, Circe Berkel, and Shayde Birkel; and 5 step great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, beginning at 10:00 AM at Grace Bible Chapel, Grand Rapids, MN with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM at the church.  Rev. Charles Nelson and the Grace Bible Pastoral Staff will officiate.  Also, a visitation will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025, beginning at 10:00 AM at Moose Lake Covenant Church, Moose Lake, MN with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 AM at the church.  Rev. Todd VanZee and the Moose Lake Covenant Pastoral Staff will officiate.  Burial will be at a later date at Wildwood Cemetery, Cohasset, MN.

Arrangements are with Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com