Robert "Bob" Mattson, 96 of Thief River Falls, MN passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM with the Memorial Service to celebrate Bob's life at 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Eric Miller officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls. Military honors will be provided by the Ecklund-Holmstrom American Legion Post 117, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2793 and United States Navy Honor Guard.

Robert Charles Mattson was born on September 10, 1926, son of Clarence Waldmar and Justine (Anderson) Mattson in Thief River Falls, MN. He was raised in Thief River Falls and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1944.

Robert entered the US Navy in 1944 and served in the Pacific Theater until World War II ended and he was honorable discharged in 1946. He returned to Thief River Falls, MN where he worked for the Thief River Falls Times. His father Clarence passed away in 1949, Robert and his older brother Clarence took over management of the Times.

On September 15, 1950 Robert was united in marriage to Julia Newton Stoskopf  at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN and have remained active their entire lives. The couple made their home in Thief River Falls where they raised their two sons Mark and Bruce.

Bob continued to operate the Times until his retirement in 1986. The couple spent their winters in Mission, TX. He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Elks, Eagles,  Sportsman Club and the Trap Club. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing and after he and Floyd Ball purchased a quarter of hunting land in 1965 South of Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge and realized he loved farming too.

Robert is survived by his sons Mark (Sue) Mattson and Bruce (Jane) Mattson both of Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren Lisa Robson of Thief River Falls, MN, Lori (Chris) Holm of Owatonna, MN, Cory (Rita) Mattson of Chippewa Falls, WI; great-grandchildren Emily Tangen, Ben Robson, Anna Robson, Ashley Holm, Sam Holm, Elliot Mattson; great-great-grandchild Braxton Robson.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Julie Mattson, siblings Clarence Mattson, Evelyn Mattson, Imogene (John) Nuoci, Helen Schofield and Beatta (Harvey) Knatvold.

Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com