Edward Olaf Mattson

Edward Olaf Mattson, of Longview, passed away on Thursday, June 30 th at home with family by his side. Edward was born on December 23, 1934, in Hibbing, Minnesota to Olaf and Fay Mattson. The family moved to Longview when Edward was a boy and he later graduated from RA Long High School in 1953. After high school, Edward went to work for Weyerhaeuser where he retired in 1996 after 43 years.

Edward met the love of his life, Bonnie Porter, and the two were married August 19, 1961. They spent 60 years together
raising a family, going on worldwide adventures, and attending as many of their children and grandchildren’s events as possible. Edward often said he was the luckiest man alive to have married such a wonderful woman. Edward welcomed everyone into his home and he and Bonnie were honorary parents to many people. Over the years, several people called Edward and Bonnie’s residence home and were embraced as one of their own children.

Edward loved the outdoors and he and Bonnie spent many years backpacking, snow skiing and bike
riding. They even climbed Mt. Hood. Edward and Bonnie rode bicycles all over the United States and in
Holland. When they no longer rode long distances, they remained involved with their cycling family by
volunteering as staff on rides all over the world.
A passion of Edward’s was woodworking, and in 1998 he designed and built the shop of his dreams.
Edward had a natural knack for woodworking and created many beautiful projects. He often said there
was nothing better than the smell of sawdust and solvent in the shop. Edward was still coming to the
shop up to the week before his passing, working on his grandson Matthew’s dining room table, fine
tuning his woodworking jig invention, and discussing cabinet designs with his daughter Kristen.
Edward and Bonnie loved to travel and explore. They veered away from tourist destinations in favor of
learning all they could about the people and cultures of the places they visited. Their adventures took
them to Mexico, Central and South America, Africa, and Europe, as well as much of the United States.
In 2005, Edward was introduced to his paternal family in Norway and welcomed his cousin Tor Christian
and his family for a visit in 2014. The visit went wonderfully and in 2018, Edward and Bonnie were able
to visit them in Norway. Edward was able to meet several of his father’s family members and stay in his
grandmother’s home. Edward cherished the visit to his father’s birthplace and all that he learned about
his family.
Edward is survived by his wife Bonnie Mattson, daughters Nancy Plampin, Sarah Mattson, Kristen
Mendez (Barbara Brandhorst), and honorary daughter LaSheila Rotchford, grandchildren Anna Plampin,
Nicholas Nietfield, Levi Nietfield, Matthew (Julianna) Mendez, Grace Mendez, Samuel Mendez, Dakota
Brandhorst, Chase Brandhorst and Emma Brandhorst, great grandchildren Kennedy, Evelyn, Sawyer,
Oliver and Zayden, and former sons-in-law Tom Plampin and Joe Mendez, with whom he remained very

close. Edward was proceeded in death by his parents Olaf and Fay Mattson, sister Radina Howard, niece
Cheryl Musson and nephew Paul Karkiainen.
A private burial will take place at Bunker Hill Cemetery on July 16 th . Family and friends are invited to a
Celebration of Life on the same day at Steele Chapel at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made
to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the Salvation Army.