Leonard M. Matteson

Leonard quietly passed away on March 31, 2020 in the farm home he was raised in. He had been battling cancer for many years.

Leonard was born January 31, 1932 to his parents, Malvin and Margaret.  He was raised on the family farm 18 miles north of Galata.  After graduating from Shelby High School, Leonard entered the Army during the Korean War and spent his time in a support position in Okinawa.

Upon his return, Leonard married Dolores Midboe of Shelby.  They were blessed with four children: Ronald, Linda, Greg and Lynnel.  Together they bought a ranch and herd of cattle 60 miles south of Malta.  For health reasons they were forced to sell after just a few years.  They spent a year in Bozeman, at the College studying Ag.  Leonard moved his family to his family’s farm, where he would initially farm with his father, then purchase.  While farming at Galata Leonard found many ways to supplement his farming habit.  These included: selling mustard contracts throughout Montana and Alberta; running his auction business as the “Jabbering Swede” Matteson along with his good friend and numbers man Ferroll “Fuzzy Figures” Heydon; as well as acquiring and running a farm in the remote bush of northern British Columbia.

Feeling the loneliness following the passing of Leonard’s first wife of many years, he later married Dolores “Dee” Holland Skinner.  During their years together they purchased their "Missouri River House" in the shadow of the Tower Rock south of Cascade.  It was there that Leonard achieved notoriety for the dock he built, intending to mount a water wheel on to generate electricity.  Leonard and Dee enjoyed their years together, traveling and living life to the fullest.

Leonard was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church North of Lothair, Galata American Legion Post 69, and the area Full Gospel Businessmen.  He was a long time Scout Master of the Galata Boy Scout Troop #58.  He enjoyed participating in many area Story Telling Conferences. Leonard prided himself as a preserver of history and enjoyed collecting historical items related to Montana, as well as the stories that accompanied them.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, Malvin and Margaret Matteson; wife, Dolores A Matteson; sisters, Christabel Matteson and Phyllis McGuire; son in-law, Rick Howell; daughter in-law, Karen Matteson; and grandson, Austin Matteson.

Leonard is survived by wife, Dee (Skinner) Matteson; sister, Iva Kolstad; children, Ronald (Nattawan) Matteson, Linda (Hal) Schlotfeldt, Greg (Shawn) Matteson, and Lynnel Howell; stepson, Brian Skinner; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Due to the current Corona/Covid19 Virus threats, a small Interment service will be held at Trinity Cemetery on Sat, April 4th, at 2:00 pm and a memorial celebration of life will be arranged at later date after the pandemic risk has passed.    Anyone is welcome to attend, but we ask those attending to respect the current social distancing requirements.  To maintain the safety of all, a simple hand over the heart from a distance, will suffice in place of a handshake or hug.

Please choose to leave a message on the Guest Book in lieu of flowers.