Lempi Mattson

Lempi Jaskari Mattson, 93, Saginaw, died March 9, 2017, in Cloquet after a brief illness. She was born in 1924 in Sawyer, MN, to Antti and Emilja Jaskari. Lempi attended grade school in Sawyer and graduated from Carlton High School. Shortly after graduation she married Toivo Mattson and they lived on the family farm in Brookston before moving to Saginaw. Together they raised three sons, one daughter, and two foster sons. During her life, Lempi was employed in many places and occupations including farming, cooking, News Tribune Ad Department, township tax assessor, Bergquist Imports, and housekeeper/nanny. She was a member of Brookston Co-op Store, South St. Louis County Fair Board, many churches, and the Out Crowd Sports Club. Lempi's interests included camping, fishing, snowmobiling, travel, gardening, and hunting. She had a great love of music including accordion, harmonica, choir, and dancing. She also learned to paint while wintering in Arizona. She was preceded in death by her husband Toivo; son, Ernest; siblings, William, Eino, Senia, Sylvia, Onni, and Elsie; and special friend, Roland Halvorson. Lempi is survived by her sons, Martin (Gloria Chambers) and Richard (Jean); her daughter, Debby (Clyde Ritchie); daughter-in-law, Judith; grandchildren, Erik (Tammie) and Tricia; five great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 16, in Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet. Visitation will continue from 12:00 Noon until the 1:00 p.m. Memorial Service Friday, March 17, in Atkins-Northland Funeral Home. Luncheon will be served in the Fireside Room following the service. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Lempi will always be remembered for her smile, her Finnish pride, and her abundant SISU.