Mary Mattson Richter

HURLEY, Wis. — Mary Mattson Richter, 103, of Ironwood, Mich., died peacefully Sunday, March 24, 2013, in Hurley, three days before her 104th birthday.

The former Mary Laitila was born March 27, 1909, in National Mine, Mich., daughter of the late Stefanus and Susanna (Simola) Laitila, and came to Ironwood in her teens from Paynesville, Mich.

She married Earl Mattson on Aug. 17, 1930. He preceded her in death on Oct. 12, 1965.

She then married Erwin Richter on April 8, 1978. He preceded her in death on March 8, 1981.

Mary worked as a cook at Josephson Nursing Home in Ironwood for seven years, retiring in 1973. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Ironwood, the Zion Quilting Club and Erwin Community Club. She enjoyed gardening, knitting, crocheting, reading and dining out. A terrific mom, grandma, great-grandma and great-great-grandma, she will be dearly missed.

Surviving are two daughters, Dolores “Dolly” (Melvin) Luoma, Ironwood, and Joyce O’Krongly, Florence; two daughters-in-law, Gail Mattson, Hurley, and Sue Mattson, Ironwood; three stepsons, Erwin (Pam) Richter, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Ray (Jann) Richter, Ironwood Township, and Tom (Sandy) Richter, Bessemer, Mich .; 10 grandchildren, Gary (Ginny) Carlson, San Jose, Calif., Randy (Mary) Carlson, Golden Valley, Minn., Sharon (Tom) Ravelli, Ironwood, Mary Schmidt, Hayward, Bob (Ad) O’Krongly, Milwaukee, Jeff (Diane) O’Krongly, Mercer, Karen (Rich) Konecny, Milwaukee, Christine (Rick) Knepper, Florence, Darrell (Kim) Mattson, Red Wing, Minn., and Lynne Stenroos, Ironwood; 20 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; 10 stepgrandchildren, Rev. Kay Richter, Lori (Jim) Williams, Doug Richter (Cathy Holland), Rick (Sherrie) Richter, Tim (Laurie) Richter, Dan Richter (Cindy Jaskowski), Perry (Cathy) Richter, Belinda (Nick) Campanelli, Todd Richter and Brett (Sharon) Richter; 13 stepgreat-grandchildren; two stepgreat-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents and husbands, Mary was preceded in death by two sons, Richard and Roland Mattson; a grandson, Tom O’Krongly; a stepson, Donald Richter; sons-in-law, John Carlson, the Rev. H. LeRoy Peterson and Robert O’Krongly; brothers, Albert, Paul, Wilho, George, Walter, Matt and Jacob Laitila; and sisters, Helen Howard, Helia Townsend and Lina Larson.

Out of respect for Mary’s wishes, cremation has taken place.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 25, at 4 p.m., preceded by visitation at 3 p.m., at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Kay Richter officiating.

Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.

Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood, where condolences may be given online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.