Kathryn Elizabeth Mathison

Kathryn Elizabeth Josephine Charn was born in Rockford, IL on June 28, 1924 to Martin and Bertha Charn. Kay was 2nd generation American as the Charn family line emigrated from Sweden and called Illinois home since 1888.

She grew up in a modest, loving, Christian home with her sister Beatty who was 11 ½ months older. She went by Katie through high school and started going by Kay in college. The family were active members of Mission Covenant Church.

Growing up during the Great Depression, she witnessed her dad losing his job. He had a passion for gardening and was able to supplement his income, with the help of his girls, by selling his crops of fruits and vegetables door-to-door to local neighbors.

Katie was musically gifted with a beautiful soprano voice and taught herself to play the piano. She learned to play the cello in junior high and became accomplished enough to join the orchestras in high school, college and at church. She continually vied for 1st & 2nd cello seat. As a young adult, she was hired to sing at weddings, funerals and other special occasions. Throughout her life, she enjoyed singing solos, duets, trios, and was a member of the church choir until late in life. In addition to her vocal talents, she was naturally artistic – her doodles are like works of art. Her sketches are beautiful, and she’s done some wonderful oil paintings.

She graduated from East High School in 1942 and went to North Park College in Chicago, IL and studied music for 2 years.

Kay met Don Mathison when he was en route to New York to visit a war buddy and stopped by North Park to visit his Cousin Paul’s fiancé, Grace who happened to be Kay’s roommate. They met again and started dating when Kay visited Grace in California for the summer. That was the beginning of Don and Kay’s life adventure. Kay and Beatty got engaged within months of each other so they decided a double wedding ceremony made sense and set the date for June 11, 1949. The wedding was the talk of the town and, on the wedding day, people actually snuck up in the balcony section of the church to watch. They celebrated 44 years of marriage together before God called Don to his Heavenly home in 1993.

Don was employed by Southern Pacific Railroad in Los Angeles, California, so Kay and Don moved to California and rented a little bungalow in Alhambra. In 1950, they bought a new house in Temple City. God blessed their marriage with 4 daughters, Beth, Yvonne, Marla, and Heidi.

Travel was important to Kay and Don. Family trips usually by train (free on Don’s pass) spending many summers in Rockford and Minneapolis, and many other destinations throughout the United States. They enjoyed traveling throughout Europe, Sweden, Hong Kong, Holy Land, and Hawaii.

Kay and Don attended Pasadena Covenant Church, and became charter members of Monrovia Covenant Church in the 1950’s. In the 70’s, Monrovia Covenant merged with Village Covenant Church in Azusa. Much of family life revolved around family and friends at church on Sundays and during the week, and occasional potlucks and picnics in the park. Many long lasting relationships were cultivated with church friends throughout the years and remained special friends to this day.

Kay worked a variety of jobs, secretary to the President at Rockford College, National Lock in Rockford, Montgomery Wards, EF Braun, and Church Secretary at United Methodist Church in Temple City until her retirement in 1980.

After Kay and Don retired, they enjoyed taking golf lessons, playing tennis, bowling traveling, and doting on their grandchildren.

Kay moved to a condominium in San Dimas after living in Temple City for 50 years. In November 2015, she moved into Regency Grand Assisted Living in W. Covina. During the last 2 ½ years, she resided at Chloie’s Cottage, a wonderful Christian residential care facility in San Dimas where she received very loving, special care.

God took Kay peacefully to her Heavenly home Saturday, December 19, 2020.

Kay was preceded by her husband Donald, her parents, Martin & Bertha, her sister, Bea Challberg, and her son-in-law, Don Rasmussen.

She is survived by her 4 daughters and 2 special sons-in-law, Beth Rasmussen, Yvonne & Louie Reyes, Marla Mathison, and Heidi & Kevin Fritz; 5 grandchildren, Lesley & Nathan Wilson, Mark Reyes, Brett & Kharissa Reyes, Taylor Fritz, and Katelyn Englebrecht; and 2 great-grandchildren, Evan & Olivia Wilson.

You have been a wonderful, loving, giving mother, always there for us and more often than not had just the right advice to offer. We are grateful for your faith in God and the Christian values you and dad instilled in us. We love you!

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either of the following:

Village Covenant Church (Property Improvement)

5607 N. Barranca Ave, Azusa CA 91702

Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org/nca/donate