Gordon Matthiesen

Gordon Matthiesen, 86, Bismarck, ND, passed away February 3, 2026, at his home in Bismarck.

A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Monday, February 16, 2026, at Evangel EAST Auditorium in Bismarck, with Pastor Raymond Dingema officiating. Burial will take place at Graceland/Zion Cemetery in New Salem in the morning before the funeral service. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Lunch after the service for all in attendance at the service.

Gordon was born June 18, 1939, on the family farm in New Salem, to Walter and Emma (Joersz) Matthiesen. He attended school through the eighth grade. Gordon farmed from the age of 16 when his father became ill. In 1962, he moved to Bismarck and worked at Yegen Dairy which became Bridgeman Land O’ Lakes. In the 90’s it then became Dean Foods. Gordon worked full time and later part time for over 45 years. Having learned many skills over the years, he helped family and friends with many maintenance projects.

On May 14, 1984, he married Charlotte Oleson in Bismarck. Gordon instantly gained the title of Stepdad, Step-Grandpa & later became a Step-Great Grandpa. He loved to play with the kids and tell them jokes. Gordon & Charlotte traveled to most of the states in the United States including Alaska & Hawaii (where they attended Brian & Kennedy Boyden’s wedding). Gordon and Charlotte like to travel back roads where they could find sand and hidden treasures, mined for Sapphires & Gold and meet the locals. Gordon collected over 1500 samples of sand across the world. After Charlotte passed away, he loved taking day trips with his special friends Steve & Doug. Gordon loved to fish on the Missouri River, lakes, and many small rivers in ND & SD; he took Paul on several of those trips. Gordon talked about how much he loved taking fishing trips with his Stepson Doug & Chad Myers (Gordon called him his fish netter) to the Lake of the Woods.

Gordon along with his wife Charlotte volunteered in Medora for 7 years and won several metals in events at the Prairie Rose Games. Gordon volunteered for over 20 years and was on board of Directors at Tracy’s Sanctuary House. He developed a deep relationship and friendship with the founders of Tracy’s House. He worked on many church projects at Evangel. He loved to help people with building projects, mowing lawns & blow snow. He loved making craft items such as wooden eggs, letter openers, ostrich egg art & display cases.

Blessed to have shared in his life are two step-sons, Doug and Pam Boyden, Sioux Falls, SD and Paul Schumacher, Mandan, ND; grandchildren, Bridget and Chad Myers, Brian and Kennedy Boyden, Kristina and DJ Starbuck, Riley, Carson, Rachel Ann, and McKennah Schumacher; great grandchildren, Bethanee, Caleb, Noah, Isaac, Gracelyn, Sienna, Merrick, Johanna, and Autumn. Sister, DeLores Reis, Brother in law Art Oster as well as many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, and many many friends.

Gordon was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte, in 2012; grandson, Thomas Douglas Boyden; his parents; sisters & brother in laws Meta (Bob) Suko, Ruth (Vernon) Baumgarten, Sharon (Gary) Paul, Shirley Matthiesen, Jeanette Oster and Larry Reis