Myron Milford Mathison, age 88, of Spring Grove, passed away on August 8, 2025, with his wife by his side.
Myron was born on March 24, 1937, to John Edward and Violet (Muns) Mathison in Houston at his Grandma Muns’ apartment. He was baptized and confirmed at Faith Lutheran Church in Black Hammer where he attended services regularly. Myron attended country school near Black Hammer and graduated from Spring Grove High School in 1957. Being the secretary of the Spring Grove chapter of FFA was a highlight of his high school career, in which he attended the State Convention. Not only was he in FFA, he was also an active member of the National Farmers Organization and the Black Hammer Cemetery Committee. Myron was known for selling Landrace hogs.
Myron’s two greatest joys in life were his family and his farm. In 1960, Myron was honored to buy the Ness family farm, which had been in his family for three generations. On June 4, 1963, Myron and Barbara (Bratland) got married and they raised their four children together on the farm. His nieces and nephews frequently spent summers learning on the farm. He enjoyed watching Dawn learn how to bake, taking Mona out to do the chores, and going to the races with Neil and Dean. Myron was an excellent carpenter and always said that if he didn’t farm full time, he would have further pursued carpentry. He and his father built most of the buildings on the farm, many of which are still standing.
Myron and Barb traveled to nearly 45 of the states and across Canada, his favorite destination being the big redwood trees in San Francisco, Calif. Myron enjoyed going to sports events, drama club events, and music concerts in support of his grandchildren. He was incredibly proud of his children and grandchildren’s accomplishments. He was also proud of his family heritage and that he was able to keep the farm in his family. Myron enjoyed reading, playing chair volleyball, playing euchre, going to parades, and watching westerns. He loved sharing stories about his life and could never turn down a slice of lemon meringue pie or a root beer.
Myron was a smart, kind, hardworking, and loving person. He was a son, brother, father, grandfather, and friend to all of us. We will greatly miss him and cherish our time with him.
Myron is survived by his wife Barb of 62 years, children Dawn (Jeff) Tyribakken of Dorchester, Iowa, Mona Denstad of La Cresent, Minn., Neil (Martha) Mathison and Dean (Kristy) Mathison of Spring Grove, and stepdaughters Lorna (Ray) Calvert of New Port Richey, Fla. and Joan Dugstad (Todd Passig) of Rochester, Minn. His grandchildren include Shana Guyer, Dana Calvert, Grace (Jeffery Coonrad), Lauren, and Emma Tyribakken, Sarah (Brooke Studebaker) and John (Kylee Mathews) Denstad, Alexandra (Richard) Kosorog, Zachary (Karli) Rains, Alan and Tiffany Michels, and Marah Mathison; and seven great-grandchildren. Other survivors include his sister Janice Kroshus, many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and family friend Curt Myrah.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers James and Vernon Mathison, sister Gloria and her husband Elsworth Erickson, father- and mother-in-law Glenn and Elvina Bratland, nephew Dale and his wife Theresa Erickson.
Visitation will be at Roble Funeral Home in Spring Grove on August 13 from 4-6 p.m. The funeral service will take place Thursday, August 14 at 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church of Black Hammer, with a one-hour visitation prior to services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Black Hammer Cemetery. Please bring a favorite memory of Myron to share.
Thank you to the staff at Spring Brooke Assisted Living in Onalaska, Wis., and the Gundersen Dialysis and Hospice teams.
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