Helen Margaret Mattson

Helen (Karr) Mattson passed away early Tuesday morning, March 25, 2025, at UPHS in Marquette at the age of 84. She was born on August 26, 1940, the youngest daughter of Howard and Eva (Webb) Karr.

Helen graduated from William G. Mather High School in 1958. She married Gary (Bob) Mattson in 1959. Together, they raised their three children—Robin, Gary, and Elaine—in Munising.

Helen grew up in a home filled with music, where guitars and singing were a regular part of life. She and her siblings loved getting together to play for hours. While raising their family, Helen and Bob carried on that tradition, often hosting house parties in their basement. The ladies would be all glammed up, the guitars and speakers set for a night of music and fun.

In their younger years, Helen and Bob enjoyed snowmobiling with the local club, but they especially loved hunting. Helen was proud of the time she got her first deer while Bob was at work. Not wanting to leave her buck in the woods, she dragged it to her car all by herself—a story she loved to tell. Later in life, she and Bob spent time playing shuffleboard at the American Legion. They both enjoyed ice fishing and spending summers camping and fishing. Helen also loved a good time with her girlfriends, whether in her golf or bowling leagues.

Helen was talented at sewing, knitting, and crocheting. She made many of her kids’ clothes when they were young and created keepsakes that are still treasured by those she gifted them to.

Her greatest joy was her grandchildren. Her granddaughters would come from Georgia for long summer visits, and her grandsons have endless stories of playing at Grandma and Grandpa’s, camping, and holidays. She spoiled them in the best ways—playing games, making sure they had their favorite foods (and reminding their mother that they could eat vegetables at home), and measuring their height against hers, as each grandchild eagerly waited to be taller than her. Alec even made a yearly tradition of lifting her up on her birthday.

Helen and Bob loved to bicker (or "discuss," as they called it), but they were truly meant for each other. Bob adored her and supported her in everything she did. When he became very ill, Helen poured her heart into caring for him, making sure he could stay at home. It was a physically demanding task, but she took it on with love. Surely, they are now reunited and “discussing” many things.

Helen is survived by her children – Robin Mattson of Munising, Gary Mattson of Marquette, and Elaine (Harry) Robbins of Wetmore; grandchildren – Melissa (T.J.) Osborn, Leia Luepnitz, Cameron Mattson, Calvin Mattson, Zachary (Stephanie LaFoille) LeVeque, Alec LeVeque, and Paul LeVeque; step-grandchildren – Lindsey Robbins and Jill (Brett) Bednarski; great grandchildren – Jesse, Jeremy, Nathanael “Nate”, Addison, Emerson, Hunter, Harper, and another one in August; great-great grandsons – Weston and Lyrik; sister – Clara Lindeblad; siblings-in-law - Jean Mattson, Chuck (Erica) Mattson, Dorene (John) Sidbeck, Alice Dover, Dianne Mattson, Lee Schultz; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents - Howard and Eva Karr; husband - Bob; son-in-law – Warren Kemp; sister - Hilda (Bob) Graves; brothers – Richard (Gerry) Karr and Merle (Dorothy) Karr; parents-in-law Ed and Florence Mattson and siblings-in-law – Ed Mattson, Bud Dover, Jim Mattson, John Mattson, and Bill Lindeblad.

Services will be held at the Eden Lutheran Church on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Helen’s funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m.