Lois Maxine Gonser Mattson

LOIS MAXINE GONSER MATTSON, daughter of Charles and Prudence (Belknap) Gonser, entered into this world in a birthing house in Canton, Ohio, on January 19, 1923. She was blessed at birth with an innate abundance of kindness and positivity, a genuine care and concern for others, and an indomitable spirit that she willingly shared with anyone and everyone.

Lois was a 1941 graduate of Canton Lehman High School where she earned letters in volleyball, tennis, and field hockey. She went on to attend Wittenberg University where she met her future husband, William (Bill) Mattson on a blind date. Shortly after becoming engaged, he went off to war as part of the US Army Air Force promising to marry Lois if he survived the war.

Lois worked at the Hoover Company in North Canton, OH, where she helped to manufacture harnesses for the parachute infantry of our country’s military. She also was an employee of Camelot Music.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, her daughter, Karen, her parents, Charles and Prudence Gonser, her brother, Robert and his wife, Joan.

Lois is survived by her son, James (Wendy) Mattson, and her daughter, Kristen, who enveloped her with an extraordinarily loving environment, a constant enduring companionship for her final 15 years, and heroic, unyielding geriatric care in her final days. Additional survivors include her nieces Pam (John) East, Sherry Mattson, Nancy (Robert) Smith, and Cinda (Joseph) Harold, and an extended family of grandnephews and grandnieces.

The family would like to extend its appreciation to Dr. Word, Dr. Ruth, Theresa, and the staff at Lexington Medical Center for their exemplary care and compassion. Appreciation and thanks are also extended to Jackie Vance, the Caregivers from Retirees, the entire staff at Providence Home Health, and Heartsong Hospice. Rev. Eric Fink and the congregants of Living Springs Lutheran Church have been a wonderful source of strength and support, as well as the neighbors of Spring Valley.

Lois Mattson peacefully left this world at home on October 23, 2026, 103 years-9 months-4 days after her birth, still possessing an abundance of kindness and positivity, a genuine care and concern for others, and an indomitable spirit. She leaves all of that to those she loved.

Services for Lois Mattson will be held at Living Springs Lutheran Church in Columbia, SC, at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 21.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a charity of your choice.