Cora Matson, age 88, of Gary, MN, died on Tuesday, July 25, 2006, as a result of a car accident.

Cora Opal Gorder, the daughter of Oscar and Clara (Haugen) Gorder, was born December 20, 1917, at home, in Waukon Township, near Gary. She grew up near Gary and attended Norman County #31 South Country Grade School, also known as Little Grove Country School. As a young girl, Cora was an avid gopher trapper and she used the money earned to buy herself new clothes. She attended Mahnomen High School during her 9th and 10th grade years and then attended Gary High School. After graduating in 1938, Cora worked for the Bear Park Store. She also performed housework for many area neighbors. On June 23, 1946, Cora was united in marriage to Clarence Gifford Matson at Ness Lutheran Church. The couple made their home on the Matson family farm where they continued to operate the farm together. Throughout the years, Cora did countless jobs on the farm while raising three sons. After Gifford's death in 2001, Cora remained on the farm where she had made her home for 60 years.

Cora loved to bake, and was especially known for her homemade buns and Norwegian treats. She remained active on the farm, cleaning the milk machines daily. She was a talented gardener and canned much of her produce. Cora loved to work in her yard and tend her trees; she even grew fond of watching the rabbits that were a constant garden challenge. Cora truly loved her family, each of her three boys, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were a special gift that she treasured always.

Cora is survived by two sons, Donald and David, both of Gary; a daughter-in-law, Sue Matson of Twin Valley; two brothers, Norman (Marian) Gorder, and Howard (Erma) Gorder, both of Gary; two sisters, Merine Vigum of Twin Valley, MN, and Maxine (Lester) Noss of East Grand Forks, MN; three grandchildren, Jessie (Rick) Jacobson of Moorhead, MN, Andrew (April) Matson of Fargo, ND, and Nathan (Angela Hansen) Matson of St. Paul, MN; and three great-grandchildren, Ariel, Rickey and Allison Jacobson.

Cora was accompanied in death by her son, Allan, and was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Oreal and Orville; and one sister, Mildred Gunderson.

Funeral services was held at 10:00 AM on Monday, July 31, 2006, at Ness Lutheran Church, rural Gary, with Pastor H. William Beyer officiating. Edna Rude served as organist with Rhoda Habedank providing special music. Maynard Gunderson, Craig Gorder, Craig Garden, Richard Hamre, Randal Gorder, Richard Noss, Michael Vigum, and Robert Noss served as pallbearers. Serving as honorary bears was all of her friends and neighbors.

A joint visitation for Cora and Allan took place from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM, with a Prayer Service beginning at 5:00 PM, on Sunday, July 30, at Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley. Interment will take place at Ness Lutheran Cemetery, rural Gary.