Deborah Lynn Mattison

Deborah Lynn Mattison, age 66, of Baldwin, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly on December 19, 2025. Deb was born on October 31, 1959, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, but grew up in Spring Valley, Wisconsin, the daughter of Lyle and Delores "Babe" Jacobson. She graduated from Spring Valley High School and went to school for Interior Design, a passion she wove into her home and community with creative generosity.

Deb began her career at Town and Country in Baldwin, where she met her future husband, David Mattison, who worked next door at the Baldwin Insurance Agency. Sparks flew—quite possibly causing a brief power surge between the buildings—and the couple married on May 31, 1980, at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Baldwin, Wisconsin, officiated by Reverend Robert Onkka. Where Dave insured risks for a living, meeting Deb proved to be the best one he ever took.

Together, they built a lively home and were blursed with three sons: Michael, Joshua, and Samuel. As a devoted homemaker, Deb embraced motherhood with boundless kindness, nurturing her boys through the whirlwind of their boisterous antics and creating a welcoming haven that extended to their friends nearly every night—turning her house into a bustling hub of support and laughter.

Nothing brought Deb greater joy than her role as a grandmother; it was the absolute pinnacle of her life's loves. She doted on her four grandchildren—Sophia, Nina, Asher, and Meera—with endless affection, spoiling them with hugs, stories, and thoughtful surprises that created unbreakable bonds and cherished memories. (The kids are still searching for a single gray hair on Grandma's head—they've never found one, proving her youthful spirit was eternal.) Deb even hoped for 6 or 7 more.

This fulfillment in family life carried into her work, where she later returned to the workforce as a bookkeeper for the insurance agency. In a delightful turn, she then became Fennern Jewelers' top sales associate—or, as some might wink, their "top sales model"—where her warm charm sparkled as brightly as the gems. After the passing of Dave and Nancy, a new chapter quietly unfolded within the jewelry store, where shared loss turned into companionship and a meaningful later-life bond—one warmly embraced by their children and the Baldwin community alike.

Deb's generous spirit shone brightly in her lifelong community involvement. She volunteered with Gifts for Children to spread holiday joy to needy families. She shared her musical gifts in the bell choir, unleashed her vibrant energy with the Klompen Dancers during Dutch Days, and thoughtfully provided rides to appointments for others. An exceptional travel partner, she eagerly explored the world, much of it inspired by her children's expanding families, embracing new adventures with the same warmth and openness that defined her.

In the moments that mattered most, Deb's caring, supportive nature shone as her superpower, making her an angel to all she touched—especially during her husband's two battles with cancer, where in the second she became literally everything to him—his devoted hospice nurse, unwavering support, and extraordinary wife—as he faced the end—while guiding through loved ones' losses and personal trials. This fostered profound connections and turned hardships into unbreakable bonds, all without being overbearing; she was a gentle force with an unstoppably protective strength.

Deb was preceded in death by her beloved husband, David (2021); her father, Lyle Jacobson; and her brothers, Larry and Jim Jacobson.

She is survived by her sons Michael (Nadya) of Baldwin, Joshua of Baldwin, and Samuel (Sindhoora) of Woodbury, MN; grandchildren Sophia, Nina, Asher, and Meera; her mother, Delores "Babe" Jacobson; brother Scott (Natalie) Jacobson; sister-in-law Martha Jacobson and family; her late husband's sisters Mary Olson and Joan (Steve) Boldt; along with many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

A memorial service to honor Deb's life will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Baldwin, with Pastor Paul Backstrom officiating —benevolently on his own birthday. She adored him almost as much as a good bargain. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by a service at 12:00 PM. Interment will be directly after service in the Baldwin Cemetery, then back to the Church for lunch. Memorials are preferred to the discretion of the family.

Honorary pallbearers: Tony Rochester, Allison Fennern, Laurel O’Rourke, Donna Swenson, Beth Heutenmaker, and Kari Rommerheim.Honorary obit editors shout out: Baldwin’s all-time longest standing Editor-in-Chief Tom Hawley, and BW’s second finest ever English teacher Claire Stein.

Deb was a beacon of warmth, compassion, and generosity, her profound awareness of others allowing her to form deep connections that enriched family, friends, and community alike. With a deep love for Jesus in her heart, she was the caring force who made everything better in a home buzzing with boyish energy and a world full of needs. Her legacy of quiet strength and endless kindness will endure forever in the hearts of all who knew her.