Leo Mathiasen's many contributions to Solvang were recalled Monday afternoon during his memorial service at Bethania Lutheran Church, where several speakers described him as "Mr. Solvang."
The city's first city manager, a former mayor, and a resident for more than 50 years, he died July 25 at the age of 83 while visiting family in Visalia.
Speakers during the hour-long ceremony, with Rev. Jarmo Tarkki officiating, spoke of his love and devotion to family, friends, the Solvang community and his impact on the life of others.
"We will miss him. I know you will too," his son, Stan, told the crowd packed into the church where his father had worshipped for many years.
Toward the end of the service, the church bell rang 83 times in his memory. A reception in the church hall followed the service.
Born Aug. 28, 1927, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Leo William Mathiasen was "made in America of Danish parts," joked his daughter, Janice Zigler. His family moved to Mississippi in 1935 and during the Great Depression he learned hard work and building skills, she said.
During World War II, he was rejected by the Navy for color blindness but served a year in the Army in Mississippi helping to process returning soldiers.
In 1947 he met his wife, Mary, at Grand View University in Iowa. They married in 1951 and visited one of her relatives in Solvang on their honeymoon. They came to Solvang permanently after he was hired in 1960 as secretary of the Solvang Municipal Improvement District, known as SMID, which was the community's only government before the city incorporated.
He held the title of SMID manager for 25 years and became Solvang's city manager for four years upon incorporation in 1985.
In retirement, he served on the Solvang City Council for 12 years, from 1990 to 2002. He also served one-year terms as mayor in 1994 and 1999.
Until very recently he continued to attend council meetings, often speaking from the audience during public-comment periods.
(Published in Santa Maria Times, August 2, 2011)
The city's first city manager, a former mayor, and a resident for more than 50 years, he died July 25 at the age of 83 while visiting family in Visalia.
Speakers during the hour-long ceremony, with Rev. Jarmo Tarkki officiating, spoke of his love and devotion to family, friends, the Solvang community and his impact on the life of others.
"We will miss him. I know you will too," his son, Stan, told the crowd packed into the church where his father had worshipped for many years.
Toward the end of the service, the church bell rang 83 times in his memory. A reception in the church hall followed the service.
Born Aug. 28, 1927, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Leo William Mathiasen was "made in America of Danish parts," joked his daughter, Janice Zigler. His family moved to Mississippi in 1935 and during the Great Depression he learned hard work and building skills, she said.
During World War II, he was rejected by the Navy for color blindness but served a year in the Army in Mississippi helping to process returning soldiers.
In 1947 he met his wife, Mary, at Grand View University in Iowa. They married in 1951 and visited one of her relatives in Solvang on their honeymoon. They came to Solvang permanently after he was hired in 1960 as secretary of the Solvang Municipal Improvement District, known as SMID, which was the community's only government before the city incorporated.
He held the title of SMID manager for 25 years and became Solvang's city manager for four years upon incorporation in 1985.
In retirement, he served on the Solvang City Council for 12 years, from 1990 to 2002. He also served one-year terms as mayor in 1994 and 1999.
Until very recently he continued to attend council meetings, often speaking from the audience during public-comment periods.
(Published in Santa Maria Times, August 2, 2011)
Leo Mathiasen's many contributions to Solvang were recalled Monday afternoon during his memorial service at Bethania Lutheran Church, where several speakers described him as "Mr. Solvang."
The city's first city manager, a former mayor, and a resident for more than 50 years, he died July 25 at the age of 83 while visiting family in Visalia.
Speakers during the hour-long ceremony, with Rev. Jarmo Tarkki officiating, spoke of his love and devotion to family, friends, the Solvang community and his impact on the life of others.
"We will miss him. I know you will too," his son, Stan, told the crowd packed into the church where his father had worshipped for many years.
Toward the end of the service, the church bell rang 83 times in his memory. A reception in the church hall followed the service.
Born Aug. 28, 1927, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Leo William Mathiasen was "made in America of Danish parts," joked his daughter, Janice Zigler. His family moved to Mississippi in 1935 and during the Great Depression he learned hard work and building skills, she said.
During World War II, he was rejected by the Navy for color blindness but served a year in the Army in Mississippi helping to process returning soldiers.
In 1947 he met his wife, Mary, at Grand View University in Iowa. They married in 1951 and visited one of her relatives in Solvang on their honeymoon. They came to Solvang permanently after he was hired in 1960 as secretary of the Solvang Municipal Improvement District, known as SMID, which was the community's only government before the city incorporated.
He held the title of SMID manager for 25 years and became Solvang's city manager for four years upon incorporation in 1985.
In retirement, he served on the Solvang City Council for 12 years, from 1990 to 2002. He also served one-year terms as mayor in 1994 and 1999.
Until very recently he continued to attend council meetings, often speaking from the audience during public-comment periods.
(Published in Santa Maria Times, August 2, 2011)
The city's first city manager, a former mayor, and a resident for more than 50 years, he died July 25 at the age of 83 while visiting family in Visalia.
Speakers during the hour-long ceremony, with Rev. Jarmo Tarkki officiating, spoke of his love and devotion to family, friends, the Solvang community and his impact on the life of others.
"We will miss him. I know you will too," his son, Stan, told the crowd packed into the church where his father had worshipped for many years.
Toward the end of the service, the church bell rang 83 times in his memory. A reception in the church hall followed the service.
Born Aug. 28, 1927, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Leo William Mathiasen was "made in America of Danish parts," joked his daughter, Janice Zigler. His family moved to Mississippi in 1935 and during the Great Depression he learned hard work and building skills, she said.
During World War II, he was rejected by the Navy for color blindness but served a year in the Army in Mississippi helping to process returning soldiers.
In 1947 he met his wife, Mary, at Grand View University in Iowa. They married in 1951 and visited one of her relatives in Solvang on their honeymoon. They came to Solvang permanently after he was hired in 1960 as secretary of the Solvang Municipal Improvement District, known as SMID, which was the community's only government before the city incorporated.
He held the title of SMID manager for 25 years and became Solvang's city manager for four years upon incorporation in 1985.
In retirement, he served on the Solvang City Council for 12 years, from 1990 to 2002. He also served one-year terms as mayor in 1994 and 1999.
Until very recently he continued to attend council meetings, often speaking from the audience during public-comment periods.
(Published in Santa Maria Times, August 2, 2011)
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