The Funeral Service for Thomas M. Mattson, age 75, of Albert Lea, will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 4,

at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Robert Schneider will officiate at the Mass.

Military Honors will be accorded by Albert Lea Veteran’s Organizations. Interment will be at St. Theodore’s Cemetery. Visitation will be at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, and one hour before the service at the church.

There will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Thomas died on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2004, at his home.

Thomas was born on July 11, 1929, to Ensin and Cecelia (Krall) Mattson in Eveleth, Minn. He grew up in Mountain Iron, Minn., where he graduated from Mountain Iron High School. He attended Virginia Junior College; then Gustavus Adolphus College where he received his BA. He later attended and received his Master’s Degree from Mankato State College in 1969. Thomas also served in the Army in 1952 at Fort Sheridan Ill.

He taught secondary school and coached many sports in Cotton, Backus, Delevan and from 1961 to 1985 in Albert Lea, before retiring in 1981. On July 29, 1961, Tom married Karin Mae (Christofferson) Quimby, in Brooklyn Center, Minn.

Tom loved all sports especially baseball and football, fishing (cabin in Canada) and

cross country skiing. He is a member of St. Theodore Catholic Church, where he

was Eucharistic Minister for years, and assisted with religious classes. He belonged

to the Retired Teachers Association, AFT Teacher’s Organization;

was a 51 year member of the American Legion, served as Post Adjutant, Chaplain, and various other chairmanships throughout the years. He was named Legionnaire of the Year in 1997. He also was Director of the First District American Legion Baseball program from 1986 to 2002.

Thomas is survived by his wife, Karin of Albert Lea; sons: Lyle F. Quimby and his wife Nancy of Blaine; Dean C. Quimby of Stewartville, and John P. Mattson and his wife Deborah of St. Peter; one daughter, Cheryl and her husband Russell Behrends of Albert Lea; nine grandchildren: Heather Quimby, Adam Quimby and his fianc Heather Engelby, Christine Behrends, Matthew Behrends and Stephanie Behrends, all of Albert Lea; Nathan Quimby and Kenneth Quimby of Hayward, Calif., and Abigail Mattson and Olin Mattson of St. Peter; four great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law: Judith Fairbanks of Coon Rapids, Minn., and Jo and her husband Mark Johnson of

McGregor, Minn.; aunt, Ellen Mattson of Mountain Iron; and several nephews, nieces, cousins and very special friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents: Ensin and Cecelia Mattson; son, Douglas P. Quimby; and in-laws: Sven and Dorothy Christofferson.

Memorials suggested to Crossroads Community Hospice or donor’s choice.