Matt Dettling
Mathias “Matt” Jr. was born June 8, 1942, in Rugby, N.D. The son of Mathias “Matt” Sr. and Mary Ann (Fix) Detling. He grew up on the family farm near Manfred, N.D., alongside his 14 siblings. Matt attended school through the eighth grade and helped his parents on the farm. In 1959, he enlisted to serve in the U.S. Navy at Norfolk, Virg. Matt was on the U.S.S. Hector for two years in Long Beach, Calif., serving on a submarine repair ship. For the next 18 months he served aboard the U.S.S. Telfair as the Boiler Division leading mechanic. Matt was honorably discharged in 1963 as a Second Class Petty Officer. With a Letter of Recommendation, he attended Auto Mechanics and Diesel School that year and worked in Harvey, N.D., as a gas station attendant at Enco and later at Harvey Ready Mix alongside good buddies, Dave Heil and Marty Kittleson. On July 1, 1964, Matt married Lois Goldade in Harvey. They were blessed with a daughter, Kandas and a son, Mark. The family continued to live and work in Harvey until 1979, when Matt became the owner of Watford City Ready Mix, New Town and Stanley. He later invented and built “All in One Docks.” In 2011, Matt and Lois moved to Bismarck where he continued to build the docks and finally retired. They moved to Jamestown in June 2025.
Matt was an active man who simply loved to work. His brain never quit. He was proud of his many inventions such as a pickup camper, pontoon, icehouses, portable cement plant, light up fishing pails and a revolving Blitz board. There were plans of building a floating icehouse. He was a member of the Eagles in Harvey, served on the ND Ready Mix Association and served two terms on the McKenzie Bay board. He loved lake cabin life at his second home, McKenzie Bay on Lake Sakakawea. He was a ‘huge’ Minnesota Vikings fan! Friends and family were everything to him. Matt will be dearly missed by Lois and his entire family.
Matt is survived by his wife, Lois of Jamestown; daughter, Kandas Wold (Corey Riedinger and daughters, Tiana and Brielle) of Jamestown; son, Mark (Jennifer) Dettling of Bismarck; grandsons, Derik (Joya) Weckerly, Kirk Weckerly, Tanner (Angela) Wold, Steven (Kylee) Dettling; great-grandchildren, Natalie, Quinn, and Presley Weckerly, Trae and Emri Weckerly; siblings, Burga, Joe, Garry, Harry, Ned, Bill, and Lorretta; special buddy, George (David) Dally; many brothers and sisters-in-law; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Matt Sr. and Mary Detling; brothers, Emanuel and Leo; sisters, Ann, Betty, Grace, Lena, and Clara.
A military graveside service for Matt Dettling, 83, of Jamestown, was held at 2 p.m. CT, Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan with Pastor Scott Skones officiating.
Remembrances and condolences can be shared at www.stevensonfuneralhome.com.