Caroline M. Mattila, age 99, of Annandale, died on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the Annandale Care Center.
Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 30, 2025, at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Annandale, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Alex Becker will officiate. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, French Lake.
Caroline Mary Hentges was born on September 8, 1925, at home in Forest Prairie Township, Minn., one of ten children born to Mathias and Lena (Bauer) Hentges. Caroline grew up in the Watkins area and lived the rest of her life as a resident of the Annandale area.
Caroline’s life was defined by her unwavering dedication to her family and her farm. On January 23, 1943, she married her beloved husband, Albert Mattila, and together they nurtured Mattila Dairy Farm, creating not only a dairy farm but also a warm and loving home. Caroline was a loving mother who raised her three children with love, patience, and grace.
Caroline found joy in gardening, fishing, traveling, and sewing. Yet, her greatest happiness came from spending time with her family, creating a legacy of love and cherished memories.
Caroline is survived by her children, Carol (Ernie) Smith of Annandale, Roger (Helen) Mattila of Aitkin, and Mischelle (Greg) Howard of Indian Trail, N.C.; grandchildren, Kevin (Denise) Smith, Susie (Tim) Austin, Heidi Erickson, April (Jeremy) Adams, Tiffany (Matt) Wheatley, Amy (Jamie) Byrnes, and Grant Howard; great-grandchildren, Brandon (Jessica) Smith, Justin (Abby) Smith, Jacob Gazett, Hunter and Kody Erickson, Hailey Adams, Ethan and Liam Wheatley, and Lucy Byrnes; great-great grandchildren, Brody, Henry, and Amelia Smith; and many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Albert; parents, Matt and Lena Hentges; siblings, Nicholas, Viola, Andrew, Ervin, Stella, Alfred, Marie, Wilfred, and Allen; and grandson-in-law, Kurt Erickson.
Brandon Smith, Justin Smith, Hunter Erickson, Kody Erickson, Jacob Gazett, and Hailey Adams will serve as casket bearers. Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.
Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute, and Funeral Webcast are online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.