Ilona Maria Matson, 79

On Dec. 28, 2021, Ilona “Sam” Matson passed away peacefully in her sleep.

She was born in Germany on June 22, 1942. About six years later, her mother married an American serviceman and she immigrated to the U.S. She often told the story of arriving at Fort Ord from Germany with an envelope pinned to her coat with all her information since she did not speak a word of English. She eventually moved to California and later to Dubai where Sam worked as a corporate secretary. In 1974, she met Len Matson in Dubai. They married and embarked on an exciting life living in Dubai, Toronto, California, Amsterdam and Houston. Sam and Len were real partners in life and enjoyed each other’s company and a wide circle of friends. Sam loved to cook, entertain and travel. In Dubai, she was actively involved in the expat community and the Petroleum Wives Club, and she helped organize the Dubai Follies, Mardi Gras parades, Christmas caroling parties, haunted houses, and many great parties. After many trips to Montana over the years, in 2000, Sam and Len retired in Lakeside where their good friends the Stimpsons lived, and they shared many wonderful years in their beautiful log cabin overlooking Flathead Lake. Sam was involved in the library and bridge groups. She loved many dogs and cats over the years, and they were family to her.

Sam took good care of her loving husband, Len, who passed away in June 2018, and she missed him deeply. She was also preceded in death by her mother Gerda Crocker and her brother Ralph.

She is survived by her three stepchildren, Scott Matson and LeAnn, Greg Matson and Tiffany, and Mary Kay Malas and Brett, plus seven grandchildren.

No service is planned at her request.