Eugene A. Matteson

Eugene A. Matteson of Kingman, Ariz., passed away tragically along with his two faithful companion dogs, Pudgy and Sky, early evening on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010. A loving husband, father, brother and uncle, Gene will be dearly missed by those he touched with his love. Gene was born Nov. 15, 1949 to Robert and Ruth Matteson in Spokane, Wash. He moved with his family to Ohio then back to Montana, settling in Columbia Falls where he attended school and graduated from high school. After high school, he entered the Army Reserves and worked for Anaconda Aluminum in Columbia Falls. During this time he married Corinne Hartigan and to that union, his two girls, Shaunda and Jana, were born. After their divorce Gene moved to South Carolina and worked for a number of years for Alcoa, retiring in 2002.

While living in South Carolina he found the Lord, became active in his faith community, and touched many lives with his abundant love and kindness. In South Carolina he married Heidi Mische, the love of his life, and after retirement the two headed to Arizona, settling in Kingman. They enjoyed camping, traveling, being with family, and living simply in the desert they came to call home. Gene was quite the handyman so whenever anyone needed anything done, they called on him and Heidi. Gene and Heidi were always there, whether it was taking care of his mom, his grandkids, or helping someone move, build or remodel. He was very proud of his family and took every opportunity to help all of them out. Our everlasting memory of Gene is the image of him wearing his favorite hat with his two dogs, Pudgy and Sky, sitting on his lap.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents and a son in law, John Wenger. He is survived by his wife Heidi Matteson, daughter Shaunda Wenger and her spouse David Ross and children Jacob and Kasey Wenger, and daughter Jana Edmondson and her spouse Kyle and children Kian and Rio. His four brothers and their spouses also survive him: Gerry and Ginny Matteson of Fir Crest, Wash.; Jeff and Josie Matteson of Mt. Martha, Victoria, Australia; Jay and Susie Matteson of Kalispell; Jon Matteson and Meg Valaer of Stansbury Park, Utah, and by his sister Janice and Jim Keltner also of Stansbury Park, Utah. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who were very precious to him, known by their silly and lovable nicknames given to them by Gene; names they will cherish forever.

Memorial services were at St Johns United Methodist Church in Kingman, Ariz., on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010. The family will schedule a memorial in Kalispell at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations made in honor of Gene to: St Johns United Methodist Church, 1730 Kino Avenue, Kingman, AZ 86409 made in honor of Gene to:

St. Johns United Methodist Church, 1730 Kino Ave., Kingman, AZ 86409.