Obituary

Chet Mathison went home to his Lord and Savior on February 28, 2017.
Chet was born June 4th, 1929 in Evanston, Illinois. He graduated from Taft High School and St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. He spent two years in college and then was drafted during the Korean War. He served two years in the Marine Corps as a rifle coach and returned to college, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology.
Chet met the love of his life, Jean Zaeske, while skiing in Colorado at Arapahoe Basin. Chet and Jean enjoyed skiing together and were members of the “Schussbaumers Ski Club.” They married and then followed their dream to live in the Pacific Northwest, raising their three children in Bellingham.
Chet worked as a realtor and was very active in the Lion’s Club and Us 2 Prostate Support Group. He enjoyed handball, fishing, and golf. As a kid from Chicago, he embraced the Northwest lifestyle, always game for an outdoor adventure.
He was proud of climbing Mt. Baker at 36, with his friend Franz Gabl. On the weekends, while Jean worked as a registered nurse at the hospital, he would take his three kids on amazing outdoor escapades and everyone survived!
Chet was very proud to have served in the Marine Corps and just as passionate about St. Olaf College and their choir. He liked to brag about his kids and grandchildren. Toward the end of his life, he was thrilled to see the Cubs and Seahawks win their championships.
Chet could weave a good story and was known by his caregivers at North Cascade Care Center to end the day by singing to them his favorite song from his camp counselor days: “Now run along home and jump into bed/ Say your prayers, don’t cover your head/ the very last thing I say unto you is, ‘you dream of me, and I’ll dream of you.’ Goodnight, Campers!”
Chet is survived by his wife Jean of 59 years; children Cathy Edgren (Brian), Christy Marx (Steve), and Jay Mathison (DeAnn); grandchildren Kelsey Barnes, Eric Edgren, Haley Marx, Ethan Marx, Trevor Mathison, Taylor Mathison, and Kara Mathison.
A celebration of Chet’s life will be held on Saturday, March 11, 10:00 a.m. at Moles Farewell Tributes in Bellingham.
Memorial donations may be made to Central Lutheran Church, 925 N Forest St, Bellingham, WA 98225, or to The Light House Mission, 910 W Holly St, Bellingham, WA 98225.