Signa Magna Mathison, 102

Signa Magna Mathison, 102, passed away on Monday, July 6, 2009, at the Heritage Place in Kalispell. She was born on Sept. 22, 1906, in Aalen, Norway, to Peder and Ingeborg (KIaarvald) Granmoen.

Signa immigrated to the United States in August of 1912 with her parents, three sisters and four brothers. Three older brothers were already in the United States. The family settled in the Eastern Montana town of Lindsay. Signa and her siblings attended a one-room schoolhouse in nearby Deer Creek.

In 1927, she and her family moved to Missoula where they maintained their Norwegian ties by joining the Sons of Norway. It was through this connection that she met her future husband, Einar Mathison. They were married June 5, 1937, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Missoula.

Signa worked at several different jobs throughout her life including the Thornton Hospital, Walterskirchen's Coffee Parlor Cafe on Higgins Avenue, MaxEllen's Beauty Shop, and finally, 30 years at Ella Kay's Beauty Shop with her dearest friend, Ella Kay Johnson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her nine siblings; and her husband, Einar, with whom she celebrated 56 years of marriage.

She is survived by her son, Stephen Mathison and wife, Deanna, of Kalispell; two grandchildren, Rebecca Mathison of Kalispell, and Stephanie Mathison Bell and husband, Charles, of Honolulu; and one great-grandchild, Hannah Marie Bell.

Funeral services for Signa will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 13, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, 202 Brooks St., in Missoula, with Pastor Chris Flohr officiating. There will be a reception following the services at the church. Interment will be at 1:30 p.m. at the Missoula Cemetery.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Signa's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Signa's guest book.