Merle D. Mattson age 80 of Plymouth, passed away July 9, 2018. Preceded in death by his parents, Cyrus Mattson, Gladys Clark, step-father, Floyd Clark; brother, Dr. James Mattson and his loving wife, Sandra, who passed away only 15 days earlier.
Merle attended the University of Minnesota, where he was a proud member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He earned a degree from the College of Pharmacy in 1961 and started his career with Desnick Brothers Drug in North Minneapolis. He was as successful owner of Noble Drug with long-time business partner, Stan Maisel. He operated several other pharmacies in surrounding cities, including Snyder Drug in New Prague, which he co-owned and operated with his brother, Kenneth Clark. Merle served as President of the Minnesota State Pharmacy Association from 1989 to 1990. He worked quietly with the late Senator Paul Wellstone and other leaders to bring affordable medications to patients across the state.
Merle grew up in Moose Lake, MN, where he graduated as a five-letter athlete in 1956. He was deeply proud of his small town upbringing, crediting the town and his parents for many of his successes. He’s known for his love of golf, cribbage, flying, well-written books, Civil War history, good music, and his ability to tell a joke and laugh at himself with others.
He was profoundly loyal to his family and proud of their accomplishments. Merle was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, friend and mentor to so many. He lived believing that, “one never knows the whole story about anyone or the challenges they’re facing” and served as a role model in his work to reduce the social inequities around us.
