Oliver "Bunty" Mathison
May 27, 1923 ~ October 2, 2016
Oliver (Bunty) Mathison died Sunday October 2, 2016 of complications from COPD.
Bunty was born May 27, 1923, to Ole and Minnie Mathison on the family farm south of Hickson, ND. He was baptized in the Hemness Lutheran Church in rural Christine, ND and confirmed in the Christine Lutheran Church. Bunty was a member of Hickson Lutheran Church. He was drafted into the army in 1949 and served 8 months.
At a young age, Bunty worked for neighboring farmers and started farming in 1951 with his dad and brothers retiring in 1983. In the winter months he logged and sawed lumber at Danny Roen’s saw mill in rural Comstock, MN. Bunty played fast pitch softball as a pitcher and short stop for 18 years. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting.
Bunty married Alice Livdahl on November 14, 1953 in Moorhead, MN. They lived and farmed near Hickson, ND until moving to Fargo in 1985.
Bunty is survived by his wife Alice; son Gary; and two daughters: Nancy, Fargo, ND and Jan (David) Rolfson Watford City, ND, four grandchildren: Jessie Rolfson, Nathan Rolfson, Matthew (Kim) Rolfson Watford City, ND, and Bethany Rolfson Libby, MT; and 3 great grandchildren: Mary, Nora and Leah. Two brothers: Ralph, Fargo, ND, Arthur, Jamestown, ND; and one sister Marlys Mertz, Moorhead, MN; two sisters-in-law: Lois Mathison and Mary Mathison; and many nieces and nephews. Bunty was preceded in death by his brothers: Joseph (Lucille), Maynard, Howard and Allen and sister, Inez Boseley.
Visitation will be 5-7pm Thursday at Hickson Lutheran Church, Hickson, ND. The funeral service will be at 1:00 pm Friday at Hickson Lutheran Church with visitation one hour before.
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So sad to read about the passing of Bunty. So many memories of growing up and being neighbors with your family . I remember the 4-H meetings we had at your house and riding my horse over to visit and eating crab apples off your tree, I remember too the year we had the big flood and you let me bring my horses over to your place until the water receded. Obviously you were on higher ground than us. RIP Bunty, you were a fine man and had a wonderful family. Sending hugs and prayers your way for healing and comfort in this difficult time.
Dear Mathison Family:
Sorry to hear about the passing of Bunty. I had the pleasure of sitting next to him at Lauren McIntyre’s
wedding a few years ago. I am JoAnne Linda and Carol’s cousin. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers
Jill Bjonfald Morris and Family
Bunty was such a patient, quiet, kind man. I liked his sense of humor and his laugh too. Watching him haul and saw logs with my dad, Danny Roen, was the highlight of many of my childhood days. He will be greatly missed. I’ll be praying for you, Alice, Gary, Nancy, Jan and extended family.
Alice, Gary, Nancy & Jan,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this tough time. I remember sleepovers at the farm, like it was yesterday, & how warm & welcoming your family has always been to me. I do remember that the bedroom, upstairs, was very cold in the winter though! Peace to all of you.
Love,
Denise Kedziora(Stahl)
Nancy, Jan, Gary, Alice; Gtowing up I can say I truly enjoyed your family outings that I was included in. From ice skating down at the river at your farm to setting the ditch on fire at the farm to seeing the Osmond Brothers at King Leos and several others. Great memories I will cherish. I will miss seeing Bunty he was one of the last living dads of our Hickson clan. God bless you all.
My deepest condolences to Buntys family, the lost of a loved one bring great pain. I would like to share some words of comfort. In John 5:28,29 God promises us we will see our loved ones again, on an earth turned into a paradise. What beautiful hope we could hold on to. I hope my words have been of comfort and may God help you get through this difficult time.
I am sorry to hear that Bunty has passed away. I always enjoyed visiting with my Dad and Mom, Oral and Doris Otteson to the farm down by the river in Hickson. I am sorry for your loss and I wish I could be there to show my support for the family. Your family always meant a great deal to the Otteson’s from Wolverton.
Nancy,
I was sorry to hear that you lost your Dad. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
My condolences to the entire Mathison family: from Nancy and Jan’s former teacher.
MY thoughts and prayers for a special cousin’s family from Evelyn Johnson Moen.
I am so sorry to hear of Bunty’s passing. I wish I could have seen and talked to him again one more time. He was always a favorite of mine! I loved his gentle ways and he always had a smile for everyone.
He stopped to see us in Park River many years ago and I treasure those memories.
My sincere sympathies to Alice and his family.