As received from the Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
Robert Roy Mattila Sr of Painesdale gained his angel wings on September 28, 2026, with his loving family by his side in Cuba City, WI, where he has lived with his daughter Connie and her family for the last 7 years.
Robert was born January 18, 1942, at a whopping 13 lbs to James and Bertha (Maki) Mattila. He attended Houghton High School until 11th grade when he didn’t want to give a speech in his English class. He then started his career with Yalmer Mattila Contracting and worked there until his retirement in 2005 as a heavy equipment operator. He enjoyed working with all the guys at Mattila’s and has had many lifelong friends because of this. He is a proud member of Local 324 for 62 years.
He married Betty Jeanne Smith on August 11, 1962. She preceded him in death in November 2015. They had three children, Robert Jr., Debbie (Jean Orgas), and Connie (Scott) Wright. Then came the apples of his eyes, his best friends, his granddaughters, Maggie and Kylie Wright. The bond and love they shared was deep and very strong. They will continue with his kind-hearted, loving ways.
Whether you called him Robert, Bob, Robbu or Nels, he was truly one of the most kind hearted, carrying people you could have ever met. He loved his family and friends dearly. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He loved people and he never met a stranger. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and rarely ever missed watching a game. He was also a huge WWE wrestling fan.
He is survived by his children, grandchildren, his granddog Brewer and his siblings; Shirley (Roger) Johnson, Carol (Gary) Johnson, Virginia (Paul) Luoma, Vivien (Jon) Grischke, Ruth (Tom) Mackrain, Mike (Vicky), Vicky Kline, Laura (Sam) Christoff; special daughter-in-law Bridgette Tonks; Danny DeRosier who helped him and Betty out for many years and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Those to welcome him to his eternal home are his wife, parents, brother’s Carl and James Jr and his wife Karen; sisters Barbara Mattila and Violet Medhurst and her husband, James Medhurst, brother in laws John Keranen and Ken Kline; mother and father in law Alva and Verna Smith, brother in law Clyde “Butch” Smith, sister in law Marian “Sis” Erickson and her husband Ron.
A Celebration of Robert’s life will be held 1:00 pm Monday, October 12, 2026, at the Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel. Burial will be in the Mt. View Cemetery of South Range.
Friends may call on Monday, October 12, 2026, from 11:am until time of services at the Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock. All attending are asked to wear Robert’s favorite color blue.
To view Robert’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
Robert’s family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Matthew Kraciun, Mercy One Dubuque Iowa, A grace Hospice, Neil Ahola with Memorial Chapel and Mitch McNett with Casey-McNett Funeral Homes.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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