Anita Mary (Ketela) Mattson

RUTLAND - Anita M. Mattson, 89, died peacefully at UMASS Memorial Medical Center – Memorial Campus, Worcester. Anita was born in Holden, the daughter of the late Arvid and Mary Ketela and she lived in Rutland for many years. She graduated from Rutland High School.

Anita married the late Robert F. Mattson, and together they moved to St. Louis, Missouri. Anita worked in Food Services in Ferguson Schools before she began her studies at Florissant Valley Community College. She went on to complete her Bachelor's Degree in Library Service at the University of Missouri, St. Louis. She was the librarian at Hope Congregational Church and worked at the St. Louis County Libraries. Anita was a member of the YWCA, the Ladies Circle at Hope Congregational Church and she was a member of the St. Louis Botanical Garden and she loved to plant flowers.

Robert and Anita loved camping, canoeing and floating on their inner tubes in the Black River in Missouri. Upon their retirement Anita and Robert returned to Rutland where Anita became the President of the Finnish Heritage Society and served for many years. Anita's father and brothers worked on the building of The Finn Park Hall. Anita and Robert were married for 68 years. Anita's husband Robert F. Mattson preceded her in death on August 1, 2022. Anita was a long-time member of the First Congregational Church in Rutland.

Anita is survived by her three children; her son Charles Mattson and his wife, Kristin of Ridgecrest, CA; her daughters, Eileen Richards and her husband, Mark of Floyds Knobs, Indiana, and Karen Mattson of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; her brother-in-law, Paul Mattson of Rutland; as well as several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Calling Hours from 10:30 am to 12 noon on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, followed by a Funeral at 12 noon at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden.  Interment will follow at Rural Cemetery in Rutland.