DeWayne Paul ‘D.P.’ Mattson
Friday, June 9, 1922
Date of Death:
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Age:
89 years old
Memorial Gathering
Date: Monday April 23, 2012
Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Oakwood Cemetery
Friday, June 9, 1922
Date of Death:
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Age:
89 years old
Friday, June 9, 1922
Date of Death:
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Age:
89 years old
DeWayne Paul ‘D.P.’ Mattson
Former Olmsted County Attorney DeWayne Paul ‘D.P.’ Mattson, 89, died Wednesday April 18, 2012 of complications of Alzheimer’s disease.
DeWayne was born June 9, 1922 in Rochester to Paul and Mildred Mattson. He graduated from Rochester High School in 1941 and attended Rochester Junior College. During World War II he served for four years in the Army Air Corps in the 30th Bomb Group – Asiatic Pacific Theater. He received his Law Degree from the University of Minnesota in 1950. He married Martha Arvidson, Head Nurse on First East at St. Mary’s Hospital, on November 20, 1954 in Rochester.
Upon graduating from Law School he returned to Rochester and was appointed Assistant Olmsted County Attorney. During that time he was also a partner in a private law practice, Swan, Mattson and Pougiales. DeWayne was elected as the first full time Olmsted County Attorney in 1954, a position he held for 28 years until his retirement in 1981. During that time he was a member of the National District Attorneys Association, American Bar Association, Minnesota State Bar Association and Olmsted County Bar Association where he served as President.
DeWayne had a passion for horses and harness racing. For 50 years he was the owner, trainer and driver of harness horses, two of which were Minnesota Horse of the Year in 1971 and 1982. He and his father, Paul, trained and raced with Murray Anderson who trained the great Dan Patch. He was a member of Minnesota Harness Racing, Inc., serving on the Board of Directors and had been a licensed driver of the United States Trotting Association and Kentucky Racing Commission. He was happiest when spending time training his horses on the third-mile track he built on his farm in southwest Rochester.
He is survived by a daughter, Polly (Mickel) Owens of Rochester; two sons, Dr. Mark P. (Joanne) Mattson of BelAir, Maryland and Dr. Eric A. Mattson of Louisville, Tennessee; four grandchildren – McKenna Owens, Kelsey Owens, Elliot Mattson and Emma Mattson; and a sister, Pauline Duvall of Moses Lake, Washington. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and brother LaVerne ‘Bud’ Mattson.
A Memorial Gathering will be held Monday April 23, 2012 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home in Rochester. Private burial will occur at a later date.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Sunrise Cottages of Rochester. Memorials are suggested to the Soldier’s Field Veterans Memorial or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Condolences
The family of DeWayne Paul ‘D.P.’ Mattson has received the following condolences.
Polly, Mark & Eric, my fondest memory of your Dad is getting a glimse of him from my back yard racing his horses just as fast as they would go around his track! All my family enjoyed the chance to see him and his horses in action. We were all horse lovers too,especially my Dad! I know how much you will miss him everyday, but always hang onto the good memories it will truely help you through this very tuff time in all your lives.
D.P was an amazing mentor for a new attorney fresh out of law school, sink or swim was the process but one always felt that he had your back if necessary. I was offered the position of Ass't in 1968 and joined the two person office when the offices were in the bank building on the corner of 2nd and Bdwy', city court was in the old city hall and the other courts sat in the courthouse on 2nd street. DeWayne always talked about the courthouse that was the first one on that location, and his tales of the prisoners sitting on the steps in how weather, even accused murders, were good for a laugh. i learned a lot of law and how to practice it from him and Judges Scanlon Foley and Olson, and even LaPlante. When he said he was not going to run for the 1982 term hew suggested that perhaps I should shave my beard but after thinking about it he said maybe people were accustomed to it by then. After his retirement he was a frequent visitor to the office and was always received openly, he had a run in with the City of rochester about a fence line and their failure to repair it after they did a survey, I don't think he ever sued then but he sure thought about it.
I could share stories for hours but that is not my purpose, He was a good friend for many years, Martha's death was indeed unfortunate and he missed her greatly, the farm and his horses were the big things in his life and I hope he was able to get some pleasure from them as his health declined.
Polly, Mark and Eric: I just wanted to express my deepest sympathy at the passing of your father. I know you will, by no means, remember me, as it's been years and you were so very young then. I lived across the street from your Mom and Dad, when they lived on 10th Avenue N.E. I used to babysit for you, in fact, that job was my first "source of income". It's been soooo very long ago, but I've always remembered your Mom and Dad very fondly. I worked in Rheumatology at Mayo Clinic for many years, have since retired, and remember your Mom coming there for her appointments back then. Anyway.....I really am sorry to hear that he passed away. I'm sure this has been very difficult for you all, and will continue to be. You are in my thoughts. Sincerely, Pat (McKenzie) Jepson
I am so sorry to read your father's obituary today in the Post Bulletin. He hired me as an Assistant Olmsted County Attorney in August 1981 after I graduated from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul (in 1980). I am forever in his debt for adding me to his staff and giving me an opportunity to practice law and begin my career. In 1981 there were only four attoneys in the office- D.P., Ray Schmitz ,Duane Kennedy and me. What a combination of personalities! Our staff included Earlene Porter, Verdetta Maas and Jean Roschen. In 1981 professional women were wearing navy blue suits, white shirts and silk ties. Fortunately, that is what I wore to the job interview, because D.P told me later that he had read an article about such fashion and that is why he hired me.! D.P. and Ray handled the criminal calendars (one in Judge Daniel Foley's courtroom and the other in Judge O. Russell Olson's courtroom) and D.P. represented the County Board. D.P. was intelligent, honest and ethical - a wonderful mentor and role model. He was so very proud of his family and loved Martha and his children. Of course after his family his great love was harness horse racing and he would tell us all about it. He had a wonderful sense of humor and cared about the people he represented in Olmsted County. He was one of kind and will be missed.
Debra A. Jacobson
Judge of District Court, Olmsted County