Donald Mathison
Donald (Don) Alvin Mathison, age 80, went to see Jesus on May 8, 2025, at 6:55 p.m. at his home after being diagnosed with stomach cancer in December 2024.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Bertha Mathison. He is survived by his wife, Bernice (Bernie), of 56 years, daughter Susan (Sue) of Denver, CO, son Dale and his wife, Kelli, and their three children: Reese, Leif, and Breck of Ft Collins, CO, son Dar and his wife, Alicia, and their four children: Abe, Jack, Charley, and Savannah of Peoria, IL, sister Judi Chase of Evansville, IN, and brother Scott and his wife, Lisa of Hollister, CA, along with many treasured cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Born in Glendive, Montana, on October 14, 1944 to Alvin and Bertha Mathison, Don spent his elementary, junior high, high school, and junior college years in Glendive before graduating from NDSU in Fargo, ND, with a degree in structural engineering. Although he knew of his future wife through junior high and high school, Don didn’t know how big a part of his life she would become until he was reintroduced to her through his brother Scott. Scott was in a Christmas program at elementary school that Bernie (his music teacher) was directing. That reintroduction changed the trajectory of his life, and he married Bernice Schultz on June 15, 1968. The newlyweds had some sweet time together before Don departed and spent the last 8 and 1/2 months of his 2-year tour of duty in Vietnam. After his return to the States, he met his beloved in Denver, and has lived in Northglenn, Colorado ever since.
Gifted with an appreciation for architecture and structural design, Don built the home he and Bernie have lived in since 1975. His wife, children and grandchildren continue to enjoy the beauty and quality workmanship. The strong home is a tangible example of the life he and Bernie created together — no compromise on quality, built to last on a strong foundation, and always open and inviting.
Don used his engineering background throughout his career. He worked for several engineering firms before becoming a Real Estate Broker and forming his own real estate company. His move into real estate capitalized on his genuine and outgoing nature, as well as his ability to find the best in others. While on the surface it may seem that he was just managing rental properties or selling homes, Don actually had a ministry of seeing and loving others through the relationships he created with the people he encountered. Whether it was properties he managed for others or properties he and Bernie owned, collecting rent checks or replacing water heaters was secondary to loving the people who lived there. He was known for his integrity, honesty, respect, humor, and love of helping people.
His personal relationship with the Lord was very important to him and showed in his involvement in church activities, from teaching confirmation class to enjoying small groups and Bible studies to serving as the Professional Engineer in designing and constructing the new St. Stephens church building in Northglenn.
Throughout his life, Don invested in people. A man who never met a stranger, he had the unique ability to make you feel like the most important person in the room. His family was encouraged in his last days to hear so many stories of how Don impacted others and invited so many into a relationship with Jesus. His faith in Jesus motivated his life, from the small tasks to the big picture dreams, and it produced the joy and laughter he was known for. A proud Norwegian, Don’s infectious laughter — especially at Norwegian jokes — was a delight to all.
Don was a great dad to Sue, Dale, and Dar. He always enjoyed seeing them in their school activities, even if he did jokingly inquire if this was the same concert, song, musical, game, or activity he had seen last year! He thanked the Lord for his two “daughters-in-love” and the seven wonderful grandchildren who meant the world to him. His hugs and words always showed how proud he was of his family. An eternal optimist and joy to spend time with, Don’s grandkids most remember laughing with him and how his smile lit up his face, making it nearly impossible not to join in his joy.
He was the perfect partner for Bernie, both on the dance floor and in the rocking chairs. Though his rocker sits empty now, his impact and legacy live on. And his family rejoices in knowing that he is talking and laughing his way through Heaven. Don’s love and respect for others, his integrity, and the joy and humor he shared will be so missed by all who were blessed enough to know him.
His celebration of life will be held on June 21st at 11am at Crossroads Church (which has been his and Bernie’s church home for 23 years) at 53 E 128th Ave, Thornton, CO 80241, with a reception following the service at the church.
His military burial will be held at Fort Logan Cemetery on June 23rd at 2:30 pm.
Memorial gifts may be given to Hope First Family Resource Center or to the building improvements fund at Crossroads Church. For both, please indicate that your gift is in memory of Don Mathison.
Hope First Family Resource Center, PO Box 95, Brighton CO 80601, https://www.hopefirstfrcpartners.com/
Crossroads Church, 53 E 128th Ave, Thornton, CO 80241, https://crossroadsabc.com/