Frank J Mattern

Frank Mattern, 78, Bismarck, went to see his Lord Jesus face to face after a courageous battle with cancer, at his home with his three loving daughters by his side. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Friday, July 22, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, 519 Raymond St, Bismarck, with Rev. John Guthrie officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm Thursday, July 21, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a vigil will begin at 6:30 pm. Franklin "Frank" John Mattern was born January 5, 1933, to Peter and Elizabeth Schumacher Mattern in Strasburg, ND. He completed seven years of schooling at Crosier Seminary. He finished his college degree in 1967 from the University of Mary. He had four children, Anne, Mary, Pat and Tom. As a young man, Frank worked in banking, before opening his own dry cleaning and laundromat business in Bismarck, Mott and Regent, for eight years. He was hired as a purchasing agent for the State of ND and two years later as director of the department. Because of his son's illness, he moved his family to Phoenix, AZ, where he also headed the purchasing department at a large hospital there. Since there were no notable improvements in his son's health, and all the children yearned to be back in ND, Frank returned his family to Bismarck. Upon returning to ND, Frank was hired as ND PR/legislative representative for Cooperative Power Association. He held this position for 21 years before his retirement in 1995. A job Frank was very proud of and held close to his heart, was the founding of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of ND. Frank wanted to ensure that, not only his son Tom, but all children affected by cystic fibrosis were able to have their needs met. CFA is still running successfully and has helped many people for the last 31 years. The job he was most passionate about; was being a father. He was a devoted, loving father, offering good, sound advice and instilling a sense of self-worth in his children, encouraging them to excel, in all they pursued. He enjoyed spending time with his family boating, camping and doing sing-a-longs. He was an avid reader, and had a strong interest in aerospace. He enjoyed traveling. He could debate politics with the best of them, knowing he was always right. He was known for his great wit, humor, and excellent cooking. He was proud to have designed and built his own home. Frank was a deeply religious man, instilling his values and spirituality in his children and ensuring they received a good Catholic education. He volunteered for various jobs at his church, Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. Frank will be deeply missed by his children, Anne Ron Erickson, East Grand Forks, MN, Mary Mattern, Grand Forks, and Pat Einarson, Grafton. He is also survived by his second wife, Jeanette, whom he married in 1995; grandchildren, Jessika Erickson, Allan, Thomas and Samantha Sitzer; great-grandson, Trenton Sitzer; siblings, Viola Cy Schumacher, Marianna Dosch, Bernice George Simek, Lillian Joe Aberle, Dan Becky Mattern and Henry Julie Mattern; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Tom Mattern; sister, Sr. Katherine Mattern; son-in-law, Mark Einarson; his parents; and several brothers-in-law. Go to www.parkwayfuneral.com to share memories of Frank and sign the online guestbook.

Frank J Mattern

January 5, 1933 - July 18, 2011