Addie R. Mathison 73, of Maddock, ND, passed away on Thursday, September 15, 2011 at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND. Memorial services will be Monday, September 19, 2011, 11:00AM at Zion Lutheran Brethren Church in Maddock with Pastor Luther Larson officiating; and Wednesday, September 21, 2011, 10:30AM at Blom Prairie Lutheran Brethren Church in Toronto, SD with Pastors Todd Mathison and Allen Molascon officiating. Burial will be in the Toronto Cemetery. Urn bearers will be her grandchildren.  Visitation will be Sunday, September 18, 2011 from 4:00-7:00PM at the Zion Lutheran Brethren Church in Maddock. Music will be from Yoli Slater, Kathy Daeley, Sonja Iverson and Kori Anne Nelson. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hillcrest Lutheran Academy or to Lutheran Brethren International Mission (offices for both located in Fergus Falls, MN).

Adeline (Addie) Rose Mathison was born June 22, 1938 in Wolf Point, MT to Robert and Agnes (Holoien) Rolfsen. Her father passed away when Addie was two years old. Ten years later, her mother married his brother, Arnt Rolfsen. She attended school in Malta, MT, and Fergus Falls, MN, graduating from Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls in 1956. She enjoyed a number of summers on the shore of Lake Michigan. Addie attended a year of college at Michigan State University and graduated from Moorhead State with an AA degree in Secretarial Science in 1958, after which she was the manager of a printing firm in Fargo, ND.

She married Luther A. Mathison on May 31, 1959 at Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church in Fergus Falls. The couple lived and farmed near Toronto, SD, from 1960 to 1970. While living on the farm, they had two boys and a girl. They returned to Fergus Falls when Lu entered the Lutheran Brethren Seminary, during which time Addie was employed by the Lutheran Brethren Publishing Company. They served churches in Edmonton, Alberta for five years and Fergus Falls for two years, the latter where Addie was employed as a secretary to the director of Lutheran Brethren World Missions. The couple then studied linguistics in Washington, French in France, and Fulani in Cameroon. Addie and Lu served with Lutheran Brethren World Missions in Cameroon for seventeen years developing an agricultural training program, and in Chad for three years helping launch a new ministry to Muslims. Addie taught Sunday School in Cameroon and trained Sunday School Teachers with a team of African pastors. They returned to the US and in July 2001,  the couple began their ministry at Zion Lutheran Brethren Church in Maddock, ND, where Addie served in many leadership and service roles. She was also very active in many community organizations and events.

Surviving is her husband, Pastor Lu of Maddock, ND; sons: Pastor Todd (Anne) Mathison of Minneapolis, MN and Craig (Elizabeth) Mathison of Cincinnati, OH; daughter: June (Joel) Finnesgard of Sioux Falls, SD; six grandchildren: Kori Anne (Drew) Nelson, Caleb Mathison, Eric and Ryan Mathison, Joy and Josiah Finnesgard; a brother:  Arlan (Faith) Rolfsen of Omaha, NE; sisters: Ruth (Don) Farmer of Loveland, CO, and Pamela (Steven) Heffering  of White Plains, NY. Addie was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Agnes (Holoien) Rolfsen, step-father Arnt Rolfsen, and sister Alice Delorme.

Addie's children and grandchildren were a great joy to her. Addie had a strong, child-like faith in Jesus Christ, and she served her Lord on three continents and in five countries. Her life verse was 1 John 5:13: I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. She will be remembered for her love of people, and her enjoyment of fun, games and song; she brought joy wherever she went. Above all, Addie's love, support and dedication to her husband, Lu—throughout their life together, and in their many ministries near and far—will never be forgotten.

Blessed be the memory of Adeline Rose Mathison.





Condolences:

Addie was one of the kindest hearts I have known.  We were all blessed to have known her.  She will be greatly missed.  God bless.   Laura Every



Visiting with Addie was always such a pleasure. Our sympathy to Lu and his family. Larry and Linda Summers



Heaven is celebrating with Addie there because she brought life to wherever she was.  May the God of all comfort bring healing to your family at this time of loss.   Priscilla Backstrom



I will remember Addie as always having a smile on her face and enjoying life.  We are praying for God's comfort and stength for you and your family. Pam & Jason Lee



Addie was an angel on earth. She was so loving and kind to all who met her.  God's Blessings to all her family and  her church family. Gary & Ginny Sears



we are going to miss her sweet smile and laughter.  she was a special lady who was kind to everyone and loved life. we were privileged to call her friend.  she is with her lord.  take care lou and your family.  we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.  michael and deborah haugen



We were blessed to have gotten to know Addie.  She was a grand lady and so enjoyable to be around. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Pator Lu and his family. Blessed be her memory. Garry and Darlene Thompson



It was our joy to know Addie.  Actually, as we recall, we met when I served at Grace Free Lutheran in DeKalb.  Now that was awhile ago!  We are happy that Lu and she served Trinity Free Lutheran in Minnewaukan.  Bless be the memory of Addie Matthison. Dennis and Marilyn Gray



Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow. Duane Mathison