Gary Curtis Mattila, age 60 of Cokato, MN passed away after a 2 year battle with cancer on Nov 13, 2014. He was born on Oct 13, 1954 in Cokato, MN to Jerald and Mildred Mattila and grew up in Dassel. He married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Raisanen on Jan 12, 1974 and were blessed with 9 children and 40 years of marriage.
Gary attended the Sales and Marketing Program at Hutchinson Vo-Tech, and was a salesman in the agriculture field for his entire working career. Gary retired in April of 2014 due to his cancer.
Gary had many hobbies, such as hunting, bird watching, fly fishing, tying flies, rod building and traveling to many destinations to explore new fishing spots with Fort Smith, Montana becoming a favorite place to travel with friends to fish and relax. He enjoyed duck, pheasant and deer hunting with his sons and grandsons. Since retirement, you would see Gary and his favorite companion, Bear by his side everywhere he went. Gary also loved spending time with any of his 30 grandchildren, visiting on the porch, going places or just hanging out.
He is survived by his wife Nancy of Cokato, Children, Jeremy (Stacy), Kimberly (Steve) Parks, of Dassel, Karla (Dale) Hoikka, of Cokato, Shanna (Greg) Koivisto of Dassel, Michael (Stephanie) of Cokato, Jason of Brainerd, Jill (Austin) Clarke of Birchwood, WI, Derek of Howard Lake, and Holly of Minnetonka. 30 Grandchildren, Grace Mattila, Joslyn, Russell, Leila, Vince, Tori, Emmett, Natalee, Eddy Parks, Clarke, Juliana, Lewis, Robert, Dakota, Zane and Benjamin Hoikka, Blayne, Abigail, Nicholas, Hans, Jack, Andrew, Ellen, Greta, Clayton Koivisto, Lauren, Erica, Kendra, Mallory Mattila, Chloe Clarke. His parents,Jerald and Mildred of Dassel, Sisters and brothers, Phillip (Caroline) of Williston, ND, Susan (Mike) Jurmu of Loretto, Carol (Doug) Wuollet of Cokato, Daniel of Dassel, Barbara (David) Wuollet of Plymouth, Maria Bratt of Becker, John (Rita) of Cokato, Mary (Joe) Lehtola of Buffalo, Nancy (Trevor) Simonson of Saskatchewan, Canada, Linda (John) Parks, Sara (Chuck) Wuollet, Samuel (Annika), Eric (Juliana) of Cokato, Mother n law, Dorothy Raisanen of Cokato,Brother and Sister in laws, David (Karen), Mike (Tracey) Raisanen, of Dassel, Keith (Heidi) Raisanen, Mary (Jay) Peipenburg of Cokato, Mark (Jodi) Raisanen of Buffalo, Katie (Luke) Bonawitz of Richfield, nieces, nephews, godchildren and many relatives and friends.
Gary was preceded in death by Brothers, Steven and Robert, and father in law, Niilo Raisanen.
Visitation, Sunday, Nov. 16, 4-8 PM with 7 PM prayer, and 1 hour prior to services on Monday.
Funeral, Monday, Nov. 17, 2 PM, all at Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church.