Staff

At Mattson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, we know that when a family experiences a loss, there are many decisions to be made. It is very important that when you visit with anyone about any aspect of funeral service, that the person be licensed and equipped to present all important information needed. At our funeral home, we have a full staff of experienced funeral service professionals who are fully equipped to present all the information needed for a family to make informed, comfortable decisions. From the time the first phone call is received, throughout the service and beyond, each of our staff contributes in an important way. We are very proud of our staff, and hope that you will take the time to learn more about them.
 

 Paul & Susan Hutchison

Paul R. Hutchison, Licensed Funeral Director/Owner
Funeral Home Manager

Susan M. Hutchison, Licensed Funeral Director/Owner
Licensed Insurance Agent

Paul and Susan Hutchison, both licensed funeral directors, partnered with the Vertin Family and Neil Mattson as local owners of Mattson Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Paul and Susan moved to Forest Lake after serving as funeral directors in the Brainerd, Minnesota Lakes Area. 

Susan, an Ohio native, graduated with a Bachelor of Mortuary Science degree from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1998. Paul, an Iowa native, also graduated with a Bachelor of Mortuary Science from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1998. Following graduation, Paul and Susan served a one year apprenticeship in Southern Iowa, before moving to Mason City, Iowa, where they served as licensed directors for three years. 

While working together during college, Paul and Susan knew that they had the same ambitions and goals; to care for and help families in need. Paul and Susan enjoy working as a team, providing caring and compassionate service, while helping bereaved families plan meaningful, personalized services. Paul and Susan believe funeral services can be as unique, personal and meaningful as a family wishes. They strive to treat people with the care and respect they would wish for their own family at such a difficult time. 

Paul and Susan share much of their time and interests. Susan enjoys reading, gardening, traveling, observing wildlife, and spending time with her family, including their two cats and a miniature dachshund, Huggy Bear. Paul is an avid fisherman, fishing throughout Southern Ontario and the Midwest. He also enjoys spending time with family; traveling, photography, woodworking, and being outdoors. Together, the Hutchison's have both become members of the "50 inch" club, having successfully caught and released a 52 1/2" and a 51" muskie! Paul and Susan are very excited to be living and working in Forest Lake, and involved in the community. They attend Immanuel Church, in addition to volunteering their time with Fairview Lakes Auxillary, Forest Lake Rotary, Scandia-Marine Lions Club, Birchwood Health Care Center, Parmly LifePointes and Fairview Lakes Homecaring and Hospice. The Hutchison's goal is to carry on the tradition of professional service to area families…a tradition that began over 100 years ago. Susan states, "We moved to Forest Lake in order to provide the highest quality funeral service available to the area, we consider it a privilege to be given this opportunity." You may reach Paul or Susan at the funeral home or you may email them at susan@mattsonfuneralhome.com and paul@mattsonfuneralhome.com.

 Neil J. Mattson

Licensed Funeral Director/Owner

The Mattson Funeral Home has been a part of Neil’s life for many years. Neil grew up in funeral service, and purchased the family funeral home from his from his parents, Archie and Mildred in 1965. Neil and his wife Mabel, along with their family, continued the Mattson tradition of providing compassionate, professional funeral service to the families of Forest Lake. 

In 1993, Neil and Mabel sold the funeral home to the Vertin family of Breckenridge, Minnesota, while Neil remained active as a partial owner of the funeral home. The Mattson and Vertin families had known each other for many years - both personally and professionally, as the Vertin’s were close relatives of the late J.B. and Nellie Weisser of Forest Lake. Neil and his wife continue to enjoy their retirement, when they are not traveling or visiting their grandchildren, 

Neil and Mabel enjoying their continuted involvement in the Forest Lake community. Neil is an active member of the Forest Lake Masonic Lodge 344, Faith Lutheran Church, and Global Health. 

 Kari Eberhardt

Licensed Funeral Director

Kari L. Eberhardt, a licensed funeral director, joined Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service in March 2005. 

Kari graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Mortuary Science degree in 1993. A native of Duluth, she joined a firm there following graduation. In 2000 she moved to White Bear Township and began serving as a funeral director at Hodroff & Sons Funeral Chapels in Minneapolis and St. Paul. 

Throughout her years of funeral service experience, Kari has recognized the importance of trust. Eberhardt states, “Grieving families are calling on you to help them with one of the most sacred events in their lives. They need to trust in you.” Kari is dedicated to providing caring and compassionate service, and helping people honor their loved one in a manner that is meaningful to them. She strives to ease some of the decision making process for families. 

An experienced outdoorswoman, Kari enjoys camping, hiking, boating, snowshoeing, reading, and gardening. She and her husband are both avid hockey fans. She relishes time spent with her family, including her husband, Carlos and their daughters, Isabella and Sofia, and their Newfoundland Mikko; cats, Duster and Mesa. Kari is active with the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Mother's Against Drunk Driving. She is a member of Fairview Lakes Auxillary, Forest Lake Rotary, and volunteers for several area organizations, including Birchwood Health Care Center, Parmly LifePointes and Fairview Lakes Homecaring and Hospice. 

Kari considers it a privilege to be working with a group of professionals who whole-heartedly care for bereaved families and the community. She is very happy to be at Mattson Funeral Home and Cremation Service and looks forward to providing families with the compassion and respect they have come to rely on. You may reach Kari at the funeral home or you may email her at kari@mattsonfuneralhome.com. 

 Kelly Haus

Aftercare Coordinator

Kelly has been an important part of our staff at the funeral home since 1998, when she began as a funeral assistant. Since that time, Kelly’s dedication to families has grown, and she is now able to provide continued care for families during as well as following the service. As Aftercare Coordinator, Kelly is available to provide support, as well as resources, to help families better understand the grieving process. Kelly states, “Long after family and friends have returned to normal schedules, you may still feel a need to talk to someone who will listen and understand; we are only a phone call away.” Kelly is able to provide families with resources including books on grief, literature, and contacts with local grief support providers and/or support groups. 

Kelly is a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Forest Lake, where she volunteers her time for various church activities. She is also active in the “Busy Hands For Love” Knitter’s group at the funeral home. In addition to her church and funeral home activities, Kelly can be found volunteering with Birchwood Health Care Center, Fairview Lakes Hospital, Fairview Lakes Homecaring and Hospice, Parmly LifePointes. 

Kelly was born in Montana and graduated from Anaconda High School in Anaconda, Montana. Kelly moved to Forest Lake in 1987, where she continues to reside with her husband and two sons. 

In her personal time, Kelly enjoys reading, mowing lawn, biking, and going to the movies with her friends.  

 Dana Erickson

Pre-Arrangement Specialist

Dana Erickson grew up in Moorhead, Minnesota and came to Minneapolis to attend school at the University of Minnesota. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mortuary Science in 2010. In addition to serving as a funeral director, Dana’s main focus is meeting with individuals to pre-plan their funerals in advance. She truly believes in the peace of mind pre-planning brings to families and their loved ones. 

Dana currently lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She loves exploring the city, especially along Grand Avenue. Since the age of three, Dana has enjoyed all varieties of dancing, ranging from ballet to salsa, which she continues to do in her free time today. She is a self-described dog lover and enjoys attending dog shows often. Theater is also an interest of Dana’s. Although she is no longer acting on the stage, she still loves going to plays and supporting the community arts. 

You may reach Dana at the funeral home or through email at info@mattsonfuneralhome.com.  

 Duane Olson

Support Staff

Duane has been a very important part of our support staff at the funeral home since 1997. He provides assistance in many areas at the funeral home, including visitations and funerals. Duane was born in Comstock, Wisconsin and moved to Forest Lake when Duane was five years old. He is a graduate of Forest Lake High School. Duane and his wife Janet have three daughters and one grandson. Duane retired from Capp Homes where he worked in home construction for 34 years. He is a member of Elim Lutheran Church. He is an Eagle Scout and a longtime volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America, having served as a Scoutmaster for many years. Duane is a member of the Forest Lake Masonic Lodge 344. He also serves the Forest Lake community on the Forest Lake Planning and Zoning Commission. Duane's leisure activities include many hours tracing family roots and genealogy, along with where they lived and from whom the property was purchased. He also enjoys time spent outdoors, whether mowing his five acre lawn or feeding birds of all sizes, fishing, camping, traveling, and helping his daughters with their "Fix-Fix" jobs.

 Donald "Don" Peterson

Support Staff

Don joined the staff at Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service, in 2005. He was born in Tacoma, Washington, and has spent most of his grown life in Minnesota. He and his wife Barbara have been happily married for over fifty-four years. Together they have three sons and two grandsons, who keep them very busy with all of their sports events. 

Don retired as a district sales manager for Funks Seed Company from Wadena, Minnesota. He and his wife reside in Forest Lake, where they spend their free time enjoying the water and fishing. They are members of Faith Lutheran Church in Forest Lake, and actively participate in events supported by their church. They also volunteer on several community committees, including the Forest Lake Lions Club.

 Dennis "Denny" Hebrink

Support Staff

Mr. Hebrink "Denny," joined the staff at Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service in 2005. As a member of the support staff, Denny provides assistance in many areas at the funeral home, including visitations and funerals. He grew up on a farm near Renville, Minnesota and is a graduate of Renville High School. Denny has two sons, and he and his wife Nancy live in Wyoming Township. They both retired from 3M in 2002 after lengthy careers with the company. 

Denny is a member of the Wyoming United Methodist Church, where he has served on many committees, and active as a Certified Lay Speaker. He is also a long-time volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America, having served as a Scoutmaster and District Advancement Chair. Denny is the past District Chair for the Sunrise River District. 

Denny and Nancy's leisure activities include hiking, traveling and square dancing with the Jolly Promenader Square Dance Club of Forest Lake. Denny also enjoys spending time in the woods, hunting deer and wild turkeys. 

 Vicki Bazille

Support Staff

As a member of the support staff, Vicki provides assistance in many areas at the funeral home, including visitations and funerals. 

Vicki and her husband Denny have lived in Wyoming over thirty years. Together they have two sons, two daughter-in-laws their grandchildren. Their family is the highlight of their life. 

Vicki is a hairstylist and has owned a home-based salon for twenty five years. She is an active member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Forest Lake. Vicki is a certified spiritual director trained through Sacred Ground Center for Spirituality and is an Affiliate of the Cenacle Sisters. Listening ministry has always been at the core of who she is. Vicki believes: “to be listened to by another, with an ear to the Holy, is where all healing and growth begin.” 

Vicki enjoys swimming, gardening, camping and just plain spending time in the sun.