Inez L. Matheson

Inez Lucille Matheson passed into the loving arms of Jesus, surrounded by loved ones, on February 15th, 2023.

Inez was born May 4th, 1923, in Valley City, North Dakota, to Ann (Eggert) and Roy (Stiles). She grew up in a tiny two-bedroom home with seven brothers and sisters, the family relying on the Salvation Army for support. Inez attended school in Valley City, graduating from high school in 1940, and attended Valley City State Teachers College for a year. She moved to Washington State and worked as a clerical secretary in a naval shipyard. She met and married Harry Jr. (Mort) Pickett on July 4th, 1943. Together they had three sons (Dic, Mike, and Gary) and a daughter (Patty). Later, she moved to Grafton, North Dakota. While working at Stans Cafe, she met her future husband, Clayton Matheson. They married on February 18th, 1959, and had two children, a son Scott and a daughter Mari.

Inez was known as a hard worker throughout her life, picking up numerous jobs to help support her family. The U.S. Government employed her as a clerk for the Walsh County Selective Service Board from 1952 to 1974. She then worked as a full-time legal secretary for twenty years for two attorneys in Grafton, North Dakota. She became the bookkeeper doing taxes for a small cleaning company that eventually grew to over one hundred employees. After her husband, Clayton, passed away in 2002, Inez moved to Fargo, North Dakota, to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She picked up another job at Riverview Place Retirement Community, serving coffee in food service for 15 years, before stepping down at the age of ninety-one (older than most residents). Inez continued to do quarterly tax reports for the cleaning company until turning 93. She also continued to donate blood well into her 90s.

Inez was fiercely independent, lived on her own in a condo, and considered her neighbors and friends as family, rarely missing a condo gathering or lunch date. She was so grateful for their support, fellowship, and encouragement, with dear friends checking on her daily. Inez was known for her kindness and caring for others, remembering birthdays, being generous with gifts, offering little treats for her mail person, the Meals on Wheels volunteers, and baking for friends and family. Her apple pie and dumpling soup became legendary. She also enjoyed playing cards, gambling (penny slots), bingo, watching basketball, tuning into her favorite preachers every Sunday morning, and reading Daily Bread Devotionals. Her faith sustained her through all seasons, during the good and bad times. When asked about her exceptional health and longevity, she would quip, “a cold beer at the end of the day and trust that the good Lord would always take care of me. I’m ready whenever he wants to take me home.”

She was preceded in her death by her parents, husband (Clayton), five brothers (Ole, Jack, Percy, Marvin, and Ralph, and two sisters (Eileen and Alice).

Inez is survived by her four sons; Dic Pickett (wife Donna), Fergus Falls, MN, Mike Pickett (wife Kay), Bismarck, ND, Gary Picket (wife Kathy), Meridianville, AL, Scott Matheson (wife Grace), Moorhead, MN and two daughters Patty Howard (husband Les), Grand Forks, ND and Mari Fair (husband Doug), West Fargo, ND.

Inez was also blessed to have 15 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family is so grateful to Sanford Fargo Hospice for their loving care during the final days of Inez’s life. Instead of flowers, please make donations to Sanford Fargo Hospice or the Salvation Army.

Memorial Service: 2 PM Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo. To sign the online guest book, please visit our website at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com