Mathias Frederik Kolding

Mathias Frederik Kolding (Mat or Freddy), nearly 95, of Pendleton, OR passed away at his home on Saturday, April 11, 2026.  Mat was born and raised in the farming community of McCanna, North Dakota where he attended a 1 room country school, before graduating in 1948 from Larimore High School.   Mat then studied welding while attending Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis.  Mat returned to work the family farm before enlisting in the Army in June of 1950 and was stationed in Korea as part of post war peacekeeping as a vehicle mechanic and watch guard until late July 1953, staying in the Army Reserve for another 6 years, and received education as a Utility Repairman.

He returned to farming in North Dakota in late 1953 until 1962 when he moved to Corvallis, OR to attend Oregon State University where he met and married his wife Julia Ann (Privette) in 1964.

He then pursued a career in agronomy research for the State of Oregon working alongside many of the pioneering crop scientists such as Wilson Foote, Warren Kronstadt, Norm Borlaug, Bob Metzger and Chuck Rohde.  In 1993, after 25 years, Mat retired from OSU, Senior Instructor Emeritus, and continued his “hobby” of plant breeding and continued to release a number of forage grain varieties including Barley, Soft White Wheats and Forerunner Triticale for roughly another 30 years.  His career and hobby allowed him to spread his knowledge as he would communicate philosophies and advise farming communities around the Western US, Canada, and Mexico.  He also traveled to a dozen countries including Ghana, Russia, and the former Republic of Georgia. He received various field related accolades, achievements, Honorary Doctorates, and was published in multiple journals on topics related to seed selection and the challenges of genetics and disease resistance over the course of his career that are too long to list.   Through his career he was particularly grateful for the ability to hire close to 80 different young ladies who worked alongside him in their collective efforts to put out the best research they could.

Mat is survived by his wife, Julia Ann Kolding.  His daughter, Loreli Bryant, (Pendleton, OR) son Mathias D. Kolding (Dana)(CO).  Siblings Margaret Swanson (Cal)( Vancouver, WA).   David Kolding, (Bismarck, ND), Dorothy Gilbertson, (Hood River, OR), Virginia Blood (Burnsville, MN).

Mat has 4 grandchildren, Kristopher C. Tibbets, Amanda Keener, Mathias C. Kolding, Paul D. Kolding, 4 great-grandchildren,1 great-great-grandchild, and 16 nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by a host of friends across the globe who he cherished greatly, wonderfully helpful and kind neighbors, and a group of old geezer friends who he enjoyed regularly visiting for cups of coffee at the local Wendy’s and other places over the years.

Mat is preceded in death by his Parents,M.B. & Alma Kolding, his 2 half-brothers Harold Kolding and Vernon Kolding, and younger brother Kenneth Kolding.

Not forgotten, he was also preceded in death by 2 Honda vehicles that traveled him around the country with in excess of 1.5 MILLION miles combined.

Mat was a longstanding active member of Peace Lutheran Church and was a strong believer in the blessings he was provided by God.   Despite this, and at the request of Mathias there will not be a funeral service in Pendleton and he will be buried in Elm Grove Cemetery in McCanna, ND where a small graveside funeral service will be held.

The family is planning to have a celebration of life Memorial this summer in Pendleton and will post as the plans are made.  All who were touched by him and wish to share some fun memories are welcome to attend.

In lieu of any flowers, please donate to your favorite charity or Peace Lutheran Church in his honor.  Or, stop in and buy the fellas at Wendy’s a cup of coffee and say Hi. 

Mathias Frederik Kolding, 95, passed away on April 11, 2026 in Pendleton, Oregon. He was born in McCanna, North Dakota on April 13, 1931. He was born to his father, Mathias B. Kolding and his mother, Alma Kilen. 

No formal services have been announced by the family.