Barbara Mathison

Barbara (De Haan) Mathison December 6, 1935 - March 30, 2026 Barbara (De Haan) Mathison was born on December 6, 1935, in the farm community of Harvard, Illinois. She was one of five children born to Henry De Haan Sr. and Jessie (Kooistra) DeHaan. The De Haan family owned and worked on a 160-acre dairy farm on Hebron Road in Alden, Illinois, where Barbara was raised with strong values of hard work, faith, and family. Barbara attended Alden-Hebron School in Hebron, Illinois. During her high school years, she met the love of her life, Robert "Bob" Mathison, Sr.. One of her favorite memories from that time was witnessing the unforgettable 1952 state championship basketball victory. Following graduation, Bob and Barbara were married and began their life together on the family farm on Greenwood Road. Barbara had a lifelong love of the dairy farm lifestyle and was deeply proud of her agricultural roots. She was actively involved in 4H and took great joy in attending her children's and grandchildren's sporting events. She enjoyed watching the Bears, Bulls, and Cubs games with her grandchildren and gathering with her family, cousins, and friends. Above all else, Barbara cherished being a mother and grandmother, roles she embraced wholeheartedly. Barbara is survived by her siblings, Ruth (the late Hans) Andereg and Dirk (Mary) De Haan. She is lovingly remembered by her children: Diane Helgeland, Tim (Pamela) Mathison, Shirley (the late Thomas Sr.) Coulman, Sandra (Brian) Katzenberg, Robert (Darlene) Mathison, Jr., and Theresa Mathison, her 21 grandchildren, Amanda Braden, Kyle Helgeland, Matthew (Cherish) Helgeland, Dustin Helgeland, Timothy (Jessica) Mathison, Angela (Timothy) Beck, Lindsey Mathison, Jeremy (Lindsey) Mathison, Sara Mozal, Robert Mozal Jr., Joseph Mozal, Thomas (Gretchen) Coulman, Johnathan (Sarah) Coulman Sr., Jaclyn Halvorsen, Trina (Ben) Jones, Eric Ducy, Nina (Cody) Katzenberg-Sanborn, Brooklyn (Ryan) Trammell, Tristan Mathison, Jessica (Josh) Goodman, Jamie (Lauren) Malphrus her sister-in-law Nita De Haan, and her many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert "Bob" Mathison Sr.; her siblings, Henry "Skip" Claude De Haan Jr., Judy De Haan, and Clarence "Bud" De Haan; and her children, James "Hondo" Mathison, Leroy Mathison, and Patricia (Robert Sr.) Mozal. And her grandson Joshua Mathison. Barbara's life was defined by devotion -- to her family, her farm, and her community. Her warmth, strength, and genuine smile and laughter, will be remembered by all who knew her and carried forward through generations. Visitation will be at 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM, Wednesday April 8, 2026, at Ehorn-Adams Funeral Home, 10011 Main St., Richmond, IL. Mass of Resurrection will be at 11:00 AM Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 10519 Main St., Richmond, IL. Interment will at St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials in her name to JourneyCare Hospice, 240 Commerce Dr., Crystal Lake, IL 60014.