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Here, gathered in our beloved South Dakota, are a few members of our Williamson / Mattson Clan. Charles and Luella are to be blamed (be kind, they didn't know what they were doing). We're generally a happy bunch and somewhat intelligent (notwithstanding our tenuous grasp on reality). I'm also proud to say that most of us still have our teeth.

Monday, January 2, 2012

The Families of Marvin Mattson, Pam Evans and Cindy Meehan

The Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello All,
Today I introduce you to the family of Marvin Mattson. Marvin is the youngest son of Walter and Violet Mattson and brother to my mother Luella, Linda and John. When he was a young boy the Mattson family moved from their Montana ranch to Spearfish South Dakota.

Let's begin with the Relationship Chart:



This is a picture of young Marvin Mattson's seventh and eighth grade football team (click to enlarge). You'll see Marvin on the front row - #3.


Marvin Mattson's 7th grade yearbook picture. Spearfish, South Dakota. (click to enlarge)

Marvin first married Pam Evans. They had two children, Shelley and Shane.

Shelley and Shane

Pam with Shane
Picture taken in Rapid City, South Dakota

Shelley lives in Idaho and works as a speech therapist. Her family keeps her busy.

Shelley with children Tate (sitting with her), Cade (tallest) and Ty.

Both Cade and Ty play Hockey and LaCrosse
These two pictures are of Cade on the ice. Cade is the team captain.



Ty

Tate

And all the children together for Christmas
Cade, Bailey, Ty and Tate


Shane is married to Cari Knettle. They live in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Shane is in Flight Operations and works with Apache helicopters. He is currently deployed in Afganistan. His address overseas:
Shane Mattson
HHC 3-101 TF Attack
FOB Tarin Kowt
APO AE 09380


Shane and Cari taken just before his most recent deployment

The Goodbyes are the hardest. Shane and daughter Lauren

Shane and Cari's children
Gabe, Megan and Lauren

A Christmas Message from Cari:
Here it is the day before Christmas…Christmas Eve…a super fun full of anticipation kind of day. My kids are always so happy on Christmas Eve, I love to watch them. This year is a little different with Shane and Katelyn not being here; I thought it would just be me having a hard time getting into the “spirit” of the season; I mean what kid does look forward to Santa Clause? But sadly I can see it in their eyes as well, something is just missing or well some people.

Last year was magical with everyone home, snow on Christmas Eve, a very special Church service and just a perfect feeling of Christmas. Shane and I were so relaxed about Christmas last year and enjoyed it for what it was meant to be enjoyed for; Jesus, family and Santa. lol We knew we had to make it special since he would be gone for this one, maybe with hopes it would help with the void we knew we would all feel this year. I am not sure, but looking back it makes this Christmas a little less cheery and yet it gives me hope for next year when hopefully we will all be together again…Kate and Brett too.

Merry Christmas everyone and God bless our troops.


Marvin married second, Cindy Meehan. They had two children, Luke and Hallie.

Hallie and Luke

Marvin, Cindy, Hallie and Luke
Picture taken in Black Hawk, South Dakota

Luke is married to the former Ashley Trupp. They live in Anchorage Alaska. Luke is an engineer at EBSC Engineering. Luke and Ashley were both LDS missionaries working in France.
They met again at BYU in Provo Utah. Luke graduated with a degree in civil engineering. Ashley graduated with a BS in secondary education (history) and a Masters in French.

Marvin today with son Luke, Luke's daughter Lydie and daughter Hallie

Luke Mattson with wife Ashley and daughter Lydie.

Ashley sent this update:
Alaska has been good to us this year. Two year-old Lydie's enthusiasm, her parents' increasing courage to try new things and the right friends to encourage us have all helped us get out and enjoy more of what Alaska has to offer. We spent much of 2011 camping, hiking, biking, hunting, skiing, ice skating and exploring. Lydie logged the most airline miles this year with one trip back to Southeast Idaho with Ashley in May to attend her little brother's high school graduation and one exciting adventure with Luke to South Dakota in August. Luke was able to accompany Marvin through the LDS temple for the first time in Bismark, North Dakota during that trip which made it especially worthwhile. Luke's civil engineering company had another good year with several exciting projects and opportunities. They are currently working on a large parking garage and a senior housing center project. Ashley has had a steady stream of French students throughout the year with her private tutoring business. Both of us have been busy with Church responsibilities Luke serving in presidencies over the adults and now the youth; Ashley started out in a presidency over the youth and is now in a presidency over the children under 12. We are looking forward to 2012 hope all our family is doing well.

Luke, Ashley and Lydie Mattson

Hallie graduated from Chadron State College in Nebraska with a degree in secondary education. She currently lives in Custer, South Dakota.
Hallie with Marvin