HHS Alumni: Mathiesen Family

MEET THE MATHIESEN FAMILY

Jason and Elaina Mathiesen .

Children: Jacklyn, 3, Glenda, 2, and Lena, 4 months .

BACKGROUND

Jason is a 2004 graduate of Harrisburg High School and now owns MLC Construction, a full-service contractor. Elaina is a registered nurse and is a native of Sundance, Wyo. They met when both were students at the University of Sioux Falls .

“Following college, I wasn’t able to secure a position at a couple schools where I wanted to teach,” Jason said . “After substitute teaching for a year, I went to work at MLC for the summer. That was over 10 years ago and I haven’t looked back since.”

Elaina thrives on how nurses are able to help patients and their families. “I wanted to make that difference for people, particularly children and their families. I love providing the best care and compassion people need from health care professionals,” she said .

Jason and Elaina Mathiesen with their children: Glenda, Jacklyn, and Lena . Photo by Jon Klemme .

MLC CONSTRUCTION

MLC Construction was started in 2008 by Jason’s parents, Tom and Becky . MLC started as a post and frame contractor for pole barns . Today they also specialize in metal and other high end roofing options as well as all other residential and commercial construction .

FAVORITE MEMORIES FROM HARRISBURG HIGH SCHOOL

“I really enjoyed football games and all that came with that,” he said. “Another thing that was great about Harrisburg is the FFA program. I’m glad they still have a strong program to this day. I had a lot of fun and it taught me a ton of life skills that I still use to this day.” He also fondly remembers his friends and the fun they had together .

INFLUENTIAL TEACHER AT HARRISBURG HIGH

MLC Construction prides itself on quality material and workmanship. Jason still believes in doing business with his word and a handshake.

GROWING UP IN HARRISBURG

Jason said, “Obviously the Harrisburg I grew up in was much smaller than what it is today. While it still has that ‘small town’ feel today, when I was growing up it was truly a small town. I graduated with about 64 people and we all knew one another and for the most part interacted with one another. I’m not sure kids get that now.” “Harrisburg was always blessed with an abundance of awesome teachers. Todd Marks really had an impact on me. Mr. Marks was my football coach, ag/shop teacher, and also my FFA advisor,” Jason said. “Not only did he teach me about classic movies and music (haha!), but I also learned a ton of life skills through his classes, stories and especially with FFA. The events and things that we did in FFA helped develop my speaking abilities and the skills to hold conversations with basically anybody – which is important in the field of sales. “Mr. Marks also preached integrity – whether it was at football practice, in the classroom, or in his role as FFA advisor. He was certainly one of the greats and sure stands out when I look back on my time in middle and high school.”

FAMILY LIFE

“Each day has its own story in our busy and hectic life. My wife works on the weekends, so I turn from construction business owner to Mr. Mom on the weekends,” Jason said. “It is very cool to see our two older girls interacting and loving on our youngest. We are blessed with very intelligent little girls . Jacklyn is the oldest and is extremely smart and extremely stubborn – which I’m sure she gets from my wife, not me. Glenda is getting old enough now to stand her ground against her sister and they like to butt heads . ” The family enjoys the great outdoors, going for walks, or “adventures” as they call them. Jacklyn likes going to work with Jason. “When the guys are working a Saturday in the summer, she loves to bring them doughnuts or bagels or something like that for breakfast or lunch. I think it’s just so she can help eat the treats. The zoo and butterfly house are also high on our list of places to be .” Jason and Elaina both enjoy hunting and taking their side-by-side for rides around the countryside . Elaina said, “Lately, it seems our family tradition is for one of us to have surgery during Thanksgiving week. I had hip surgery while Jason has had a couple shoulder surgeries. And Jacklyn had her tonsils out during Thanksgiving week. Hopefully we’re over and done with this tradition.”

IMPROVING

LIVES IN YOUR COMMUNITY