Astri G. Matson

Astrid Georgine Elaine Erickson, age 78, passed away peacefully with her husband at her side on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at Pelican Valley Senior Living in Pelican Rapids, MN. She was born in Fergus Falls, MN on February 7, 1939 to C.F. (Chris) and M.B. Leona Erickson, and attended grade schools in Fergus Falls and Morris, MN before moving back to Fergus Falls to graduate from Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in 1957. She then attended Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1961. During the following summer she studied piano with noted virtuoso Leonard Shure in Zurich, Switzerland. Upon returning to the US she worked as an Elementary Music teacher, first in Morris, MN and later in Mt. Clemens, MI. During summers in Fergus Falls she worked for Millie Bruvold and various legal firms, and at this time had the silent “d” legally removed from her name. Through mutual friends she was introduced to her future husband, David V. Matson of St. Peter, MN, and they were married at Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls on August 20, 1967. After moving to Milwaukee, WI, they had their first son, Carl in 1969 and their second, John, in 1971. Astri continued teaching music in the West Allis and Milwaukee elementary school systems, and would later serve as an accompanist for various ensembles at Milwaukee High School of the Arts. It was her work as a church organist, however, serving many congregations in the greater Milwaukee area from 1968-2000, that she considered her true profession. She studied first with Hugo Gehrke at Concordia College, Milwaukee and later in master classes with Sr. Theophane Hytrek. In between she studied piano performance with Adelaide Banazinski at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. She was an active member of the Milwaukee chapter of the American Guild of Organists, the MacDowell Club of Milwaukee, and the Waukesha Music Study Club, where she was a performing member on both piano and organ. Astri was also a regular recitalist and accompanist for several semi-professional musical groups as time permitted. In 2000 Astri and Dave moved back to the Pelican Rapids area where she continued her church music service as an organist for Maplewood Lutheran Church in Maplewood Park and later for Faith Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids. Preceding her in death were her parents, C.F. and Leona Erickson, two brothers Leighton (Hope) and Arland (Kathy). She is survived by her husband Dave of Pelican Rapids, brother Leland (Marita) of Lake Park, son Carl (Ann Nagle) of Watertown, WI, son John (fiancé Jenn) of Germantown, WI, and grandchildren August and Grace of Watertown, WI; sister-in-law Beverly (Don) Gustafson, and numerous nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 18th at Faith Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Philip A. Johnson officiating. There will be a lunch reception immediately after the service. The family asks that memorials be directed to any of the following: Faith Lutheran Church Organ Fund, C.F. and Leona Erickson Music Scholarship Fund at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, OAKS of Pelican Rapids, Pelican Valley Senior Living, or the Alzheimer’s Association. Please keep the Matson family in your thoughts and prayers. Astri's Memorial Folder