Juliana Helen Matson

Our sweet mother, Juliana Helen Matson, was born in Perham, MN on February 12, 1955, to her parents, Leonard and Martha Schultz. She spent her childhood on the family farm in rural Frazee and graduated from Perham High School in 1973. After graduating from high school, she attended the Detroit Lakes Vocational and Technical College and studied business there.

She married our dad, Warren Matson, on November 22, 1975, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Perham, MN. They made their home in rural Frazee and raised their girls there. 

During her career, Julie worked for Judge Sig Wood in Detroit Lakes and also worked as a jailer for the Becker County Sheriff’s Department for many years. 

In her free time, Julie liked playing cards and other games, creating ceramics and other artwork, taking naps, watching westerns and game shows, and spending time with her family. Her grandchildren were the apples of her eye, and she loved any time she could spend with them, mischief she could make with them, and treats she could sneak them behind their mothers’ backs.  

Mom was someone who was loyal and trustworthy–if you told her something in confidence, you could rest assured that she never told another soul.

Julie’s faith was very important to her. She would frequently share something she had learned at Bible study, and though she wouldn’t tell you, she was quietly in prayer for those who were in need of it.

Julie is survived by her two daughters: Marcie (Ryan) Gargano of Bagley, MN, and Moria Awuku of Fargo, ND; three grandchildren: Daley, Adam, and Francis; two sisters: Marge Kulzer of Detroit Lakes and Kathy Berger of Frazee, MN; two brothers: Lloyd (Linda) Schultz of Perham, MN, and Gary (Barb) Schultz of New York Mills, MN. She is also survived by several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law on her husband’s side, including Jerry Smith, Irene Matson, Dale and Grace Matson, Fern Schurdevin, Kristi and Kelly Ruud, Lilly and Jeff Romberg, and Bonnie and Tom Schielke, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Warren; her parents, her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Helen and Peter Matson; four brothers-in-law: John Matson, Jerry Schurdevin, James Kulzer, and John Berger; one sister-in-law: Laura Smith; nephews Billy Schurdevin and Jeff Quittschreiber; and niece Robianne Schultz.

Julie’s family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the staff at Ecumen in Detroit Lakes as well as those at St. Mary’s EMS for the compassionate care given to her.