Matson, Edwin David

Edwin David Matson, 90, of Linn Creek, Mo., died Nov. 2, 2011, of a short illness. Graveside services: 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick & Paul Cemetery in Watkins, by the Rev. Brian Dellaert. Friends may visit Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. at Teahen Funeral Home.

Ed is survived by his two sons Joel Sr. (June) Matson of Plainfield, Ill., and Bryan Matson of Cedar Rapids; two stepdaughters, Bonnie (David) Bernhard of Cedar Rapids and Sherry (Jim) Firehock of Citrus Heights, Calif.; 11grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Rosellen Seaton of Deep River, Virginia Seifert of Cedar Rapids and Betty Brown of Iowa City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Doris; and two sisters, Mary Matson and Alice Ellingson.

Ed was born in Newhall, Iowa, on March 25, 1921, to Edwin and Ida (Boddicker) Matson. He served in the Army in World War II as an instructor. He was a longtime business man in Cedar Rapids, owner of Matson Truck Line, AJ Harris and Sons, Sales Agency, and was the founder of Cedar Rapids Steel Transportation. He married Doris Sonneborn on Dec. 11, 1982.

Ed loved ranching in Craig, Colo., and was a long time member of the Fairfax American Legion and the Elks Club. Ed enjoyed hunting, fishing, and traveling.

Online condolences may be left for the family at

Published Nov. 3, 2011, in The Gazette