Gertrude Mattson
Gertrude Mattson, 90, of Centerville, died May 31, 2009 in The Dalles.
She was born in Altoona, Kansas, to parents Winifred (Tefft) and William A. Smith on Nov. 23, 1918. Around the age of 10, Gertrude moved to Toledo, Ore., where she grew up and graduated from high school. She continued on to business school in Portland and later worked for a trucking company and Montgomery Ward. She passed her civil service test and worked as a secretary at Tongue Point Naval Air Station in Astoria, Ore. While living in Astoria, Gertrude met Raymond Oren Mattson and it was there the couple married on Dec. 26, 1942.
She and Ray lived in Sundale, then to Goldendale and in 1962 settled in Centerville to ranch and farm. Gertrude was involved in the community, serving as a Bluebird leader, Sunday school teacher and an officer of the Grange. She enjoyed gardening and was one of the best cooks in the world.
She was preceded in death by her brother, William L. Smith and sister, Elizabeth Bohanon.
Survivors include her husband, Raymond, of Centerville; son David Mattson of Centerville; daughter Pauline Rae Mattson of Portland; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at Columbia Hills Memorial Chapel in Goldendale on Friday, June 5, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at the Centerville Cemetery.
