Fred M. Mattson Sr.

Our loving husband and father left us to go to the Lord on Oct. 5, 2015. He shared the last fun and wonderful 18 years of his life with his wife, love and best friend, Dorene. They shared many adventures in their travels, both love to fish and shared their hobbies and family times together.

He was born to Eric Mattson and Florence Frasier Mattson on Oct. 8, 1928, in what Dad liked to call "the booming metropolis" of Greycliff. The family moved to Billings when he was very young and lived in Billings all of his life.

Dad was an avid and accomplished bowler. He is a member of both the Billings and Montana State Bowling Halls of Fame. At the time of his election, he was the youngest member to be elected to the Montana State Hall of Fame. He won many individual and team event scratch tournaments in Montana and the surrounding states and once finished third in the USA nationals. The Billings Gazette once named him the "Little Giant" of bowling in Billings.

He was a master woodworker. His knowledge and hands created many beautiful projects for clients, friends and family. Many of these were made together with his loving wife, Dorene. They always worked side by side on a project.

He also was a talented fisherman. He fished all of the rivers in eastern Montana, but he was particularly fond of the Yellowstone near Springdale. It is an area he grew up near and he knew the river well and where the fish could be found. He often caught more than anyone else in the fishing party.

During his lifetime, he lost two spouses, Ione Mattson, after a short time together; he had 43 great years with his wife, Harriett Mattson.

He is survived by his wife Dorene, of Billings; two sons Fred Jr. and Clay, of Tacoma, Wash.; step-son Steve Parshall, of Billings; and step-daughter Robin Parshall, of Washington. He was the middle child of four sisters. His sister, Beverly Latta, has survived him and lives in Huntley.

The family and friends held a private celebration of his life on what would have been his 87th birthday on Oct. 8. He will be interred in the Huntley Cemetery.