Lois Matson, 83, Minot, died Wednesday, March 13, 2019, in a Minot assisted living facility.

Lois was born July 8, 1935 in Minot, ND to Erich and Wilma (Heilman) Hoechst. She grew up on the family farm near Bergen, ND and completed her education at Bergen Public School in 1953. Lois moved to Minot and was employed at Kresge Dime Store followed by Coca-Cola in an office position. She found her niche in the banking industry with Union National Bank for ten years until joining First Western Bank and Trust in 1969. Lois retired as a branch manager in 1997. She spent many summers working at Lowe's Floral and Garden Center and volunteering at the Scandinavian Heritage Office and Norsk Hostfest in her retirement years.

Lois was united in marriage to David Matson on May 16, 1965 at Oak Valley Lutheran Church in Velva, ND. They made their home on the prairie near Des Lacs, ND.

She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church and a former member of Augustana Lutheran Church where she played an active role on the church council and ladies' aide. Lois also valued memberships to the Swedish Society, Sons of Norway, Minot Moose Lodge, Quota Club, SCORE, Toastmasters, ND Bankers Association, Commercial Bankers Association and Ambassadors Committee. She was a valued board member of the Scandinavian Heritage Association, Western Prairie, Girl Scout Foundation, Red Cross and was part of the Diplomats Committee through the Minot Chamber of Commerce.

Following David's death on September 5, 2005, Lois moved to Minot in March of 2006. She loved to golf, play pinochle, garden, and was a devoted reader and experienced traveler.

Lois is survived by her sister, Joyce (Clifton) Mills-Peterson, Ruso, ND; nieces, Brenda (Doug Nelson) Cook, Minot, Angela (Chad) Mills Fischer, Fargo, Janet (John) Leintz, Sidney, MT, Renee Hitchcock, Albany, GA; nephew, Bradley (Dede) Mills, Jamestown, ND and great nephews, Wyatt Cook and Domanick (Samantha) Leintz; great nieces, Sierra Cook, Amber Mills, and Amber (Jeremy) Horwitz; and sister-in-law, Janice Osborn, Gaithersburg, MD; and many cousins.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents; husband David; sister Marlyn Payton; father and mother-in-law, Lawrence and Mabel (Sharp) Matson and brothers-in-law, Duane Payton and John Osborn.

Funeral Service: 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at Christ Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment:  Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot
Visitation:  Monday, March 18, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Christ Lutheran Church, Girls Scouts, Scandinavian Heritage Association or to an organization of the donor's choice.

Lois Matson Flower Pictures