Brian J. Mathson,
63, of Grand Marais, died February 8, 2010, in an automobile accident in Lake County.
Brian was born Sept. 28, 1946 to Erma Estella Thomas and Melvin Ferninand Mathson in Shawano, Wis. He attended Irwin Elementary School in DePere, Wis., and graduated from DePere High School. He earned a bachelor of science degree in Recreation Administration from St. Cloud State University.
Brian served in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard. He trained with the U.S. Olympic biathlon team from 1966-1980, and was selected as an alternate for the 1968 Olympics held in Grenoble, France. He won national biathlon championships in 10 km and 20 km, as well as individual national championship in 1978. He placed 25th in the American Birkebeiner.
Brian also holds the record for skiing from Winnipeg, Canada to St. Paul, Minn., while raising funds for Minnesota Sheriffs Boys Ranch. Additionally, Brian was selected as a candidate for U.S. Man of the Year in 1987, and worked as a model for Ford Modeling Agency in New York City.
Brian enjoyed many different professions over the years, such as cross-country and downhill ski instructor, tennis pro, recreation director, car salesman, and owner-operator of his own wild rice company. He was instrumental in developing and improving the ski trail system in Aitkin and working to establish it as the
ski touring center of the North Country.
In 1998, he became a permanent resident of Grand Marais,
where he worked as assistant recreation administrator for the city Rec Park until injury forced early retirement. Pike Lake and the North Woods provided hours of hunting and fishing.
Brian was preceded in death by his parents and nephew Mark Phillips.
He is survived by his partner, Nancy L. Zimmer of Grand Marais; daughter Tara Moon Mathson of Bellingham, Wash.; sisters Dawn Nelson of West Bend, Wis., and Ellen Moseng of Green Bay, Wis.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. June 12, 2010 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aitkin, Minn. Luncheon and fellowship will follow the service.
Leave a Reply