Bemidji, Minnesota, is known for its legends, but for those who know her, Lu Mattson is every bit as memorable as Paul Bunyan and the Blue Ox. It’s the kind of place where stories are larger than life and winters are long, and Lu made her mark as the only girl on the high school curling team—a sign of her quiet determination from the start.
Lu stayed close to home for college, earning her degree in education from Bemidji State University. It was there, at a Lutheran Student Association meeting, that she met Joe, the man who would become her lifelong partner. After graduation and marriage, adventure called: the couple headed west to Colorado, where Joe worked on his master’s degree and Lu taught first grade. North Dakota was next, bringing more teaching and learning as Joe pursued postgraduate work and Lu continued to shape young minds.
The Mattsons found their true home in Johnson City, Tennessee, in 1958. Joe began teaching in the Applied Science and Technology Department, and Lu—never one to stop learning—started her own master’s program. When she finished, she poured her heart into helping students as part of a remedial reading program, a role that fit her patient, encouraging spirit perfectly.
Family life blossomed in Johnson City with the arrival of Debra, Mark, and Carolyn. Once her children were in school, Lu returned to the classroom herself, teaching fifth grade at Fairmont Elementary for 25 years. Generations of students benefited from her steady presence and passion for education.
But Lu’s life has always been about more than work. With Joe, she spent over 20 years square dancing—finding joy in rhythm and community—and 15 years sharing new horizons with students through the Road Scholar Program. Every year since 2005, she’s organized family reunions in different locations, making sure the bonds between relatives stay strong.
Lu’s creativity shines in her hobbies. She loves painting on wood with oil paints and scrapbooking, crafting detailed albums for every family reunion, each Road Scholar trip, and one for every child and grandchild. These scrapbooks are more than keepsakes; they’re a testament to a life rich with love, laughter, and adventure.
At Everlan of Johnson City, Lu remains a loving, vibrant presence—proof that a teacher’s heart never really retires. Her story is a reminder of the power of learning, family, and making memories that last.
