To view the graveside service, click here: https://youtu.be/9_brqnpJkUA

Michael Jay Matteson, 67, of Westhope, passed away on Friday, August 4, 2023, at a Mohall nursing home following a long battle with lung cancer.
He was born on July 22, 1956, in Bottineau, a son of Garnett and Bernice (Tonneson) Matteson.  He grew up in Westhope and graduated from Westhope High School in 1974.  Following graduation, Mike began working in the oil fields, where he continued to work through 2002.  He then began working for Peter Artz as a farm and ranch hand.  He was also employed by Chem Star, Dwight and Devin Tolstad, and The City of Westhope for a short time.
In 1981, he married Kathy (Stave) Matteson in Palermo.  They made their home in Westhope.  In 1988, they welcomed their daughter, Tiffany, and in 1991, their son, Spencer.  Mike never missed a program, a game, or any opportunity to support his family, no matter what it was.
Mike enjoyed the outdoors.  He liked to hunt, fish, search the rural ditches for wild asparagus, pick Juneberries, and grow a garden.  In his younger years, he liked to play softball and he and Kathy went on many wagon trains with their horses.  He spent many summers golfing with his friends and taught both of his kids to love the game.
Some of his best memories were made fishing at Fort Peck, Montana, with his life-long friends, Gilbert and Gilbert Bruhn, Jr., his son, Spencer, and his brother, Tom, and a handful of friends that he would take along from time to time.  He loved to hunt with Spencer and was well-known for his deer sausage, jerky, and pepperoni sticks.  He was a life-long gardener and always had something to share with everybody, including growing pumpkins for all of Tiffany's first grade students for the last 14 years.
He was someone you could always call if you needed directions in a rural area, as he knew every back road like the back of his hand.  He liked to "go for a drive" and look at the countryside, crops, wildlife, and take his pal, Bentley, to run.  Mike also enjoyed wood-working and was a jack of all trades.  Over the years, he made many home improvements, built incredible playhouses for his kids, furniture, benches, planters, and everything else his family dreamed up for him, including a beautiful, one-of-a-kind Barbie house for his daughter when she was small.  He was a Green Bay Packers fan and was happy to attend two games, both with his son.
Mike was a dedicated member of the Westhope Fire Department from 1985 until the time of his passing.  He was also a proud member of the Antler Outlaws and enjoyed being a part of both organizations, making great friends along the way.  He loved helping with benefits, dinners, ranch rodeos, get-togethers, and any other events hosted.  He served on the Westhope Park Board for several years as well.
Mike was a lifelong resident of Westhope and built many relationships throughout his life.  He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church for many years.  He was someone who could talk to anyone, and he was truly a friend that you would always like to have.  He spent many mornings at Cenex, having coffee and visits with so many people, which he enjoyed so much.  He will always be remembered as someone who loved his family, would do anything to help someone out, always had a quick wit, a comical phrase, and a way of making everyone feel comfortable in his presence.
Family:  Mike is survived by his wife of 42 years, Kathy Matteson, Westhope; daughter, Tiffany Matteson, Minot; son, Spencer Matteson, rural Landa; sisters, Susie Matteson, Minot, and Deb (Jon) Kibby, Bloomington, MN; sisters-in-law, Marcy (Jerry) Walton, and Pam (Kerry) Picek, all of Gilbert, AZ, and Phyllis Iverson, Tioga; aunts, Nancy Wright, Coffeyville, KS, and Irene Tonneson, Souris, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Michael was preceded in death by:  His parents, Garnett and Bernice Matteson; brother, Tom Matteson; his grandparents; and several of aunts, uncles, and dear friends.
Graveside Service:  2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 12, 2023, at the Westhope Cemetery, Westhope.  Following the graveside service, there will be a gathering at the Antler Outlaw shack in Antler.
Memorials:  Memorials preferred to the Westhope Fire Department or the Antler Outlaws.
Friends may sign the online guestbook at brosefuneralhome.com.
(Brose Funeral Home, Mohall)