Gerald Matson

McFarland- Gerald "Jerry" L. Matson, age 78, passed away peacefully, at his home with his family by his side, on Saturday, January 27, 2018 of pancreatic cancer. Jerry was born in Lake Mills on June 30, 1939, the son of Elmer H. and Mary M. (Mueller) Matson. He graduated from Lake Mills High School class of 1957, where he was an honor student, spelling champion, and active in band, football, basketball and golf. Jerry proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1963 until 1969, where he was a member of the Signal Corps, and was stationed in Korea from 1963-1965. Jerry graduated from UW-Madison with a B.S. in Zoology in 1968. While attending the UW he met a young lady whom he would build his life with. On May 5, 1962 Jerry married Dorothea "Dori" Siggelkow in Madison. He dedicated his working career to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was the Senior Lecturer for the Physiology Department for over 30 years until his retirement in 2002. Jerry enjoyed cycling, hunting and fishing, paddling, sailing, Nordic skiing, photography, woodworking, gardening and was an avid do-it-yourselfer. He was a proud father to his son Steve, and was a dedicated parent volunteer with the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps and Madison Junior Scouts for 11 years. Jerry served as Treasurer on the Board of Directors, Equipment Manager, bus driver and equipment semi driver. His DIY skills allowed him to build various equipment projects for the corps as well as repairing horns and drums. Jerry loved to travel. He and his wife Dori and their son Steve took many trips all over the world, Europe, Asia, South America, Australia and New Zealand, Mexico, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii. After retirement, Jerry and Dori purchased a 5th Wheel RV and began traveling the U.S. eventually visiting all 48 states as well as several Canadian provinces. He was a member of the WI Excel RV Club. Jerry will be missed by all who knew him. He is lovingly survived by his wife of 56 years, Dori Matson of McFarland; son, Steve Matson and grandsons, Ryan Matson and Cole Gooder, all of Minneapolis; brother, Bill (Ann) Matson of Carpinteria, CA; nephews, Chris (Michelle) Matson and Tyler (Bridget) Matson of CA; brother-in-law, Lyle (Kathleen) Siggelkow of Middleton; niece, Emily Siggelkow (friend, Ken Leonhardt); grand nieces and nephews, Audrey, Sawyer, Corrine and Cody Matson all of CA. A celebration of Jerry's life will be held at the 5100 Club, 5100 Erling Avenue, McFarland, on Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM, with a remembrance service at 1:30 PM concluding with all Madison Scouts in attendance singing You'll Never Walk Alone. Refreshments will follow. At Jerry's request please dress casual and be comfortable. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Carbone Cancer Center, UW Hospital, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53792. Please share your memories of Jerry by posting Tributes.
Cress Funeral Service
5801 Highway 51
McFarland, WI 53558
(608) 838-0655