Lucile Bunten Matteson was born in Canon City, Colorado, on October 28, 1908. She attended local schools, graduating from high school in Alamosa, Colorado. She later married Rowland G. Matteson on October 27, 1935. They moved to DeKalb, Illinois, in August 1941, where Rowland entered into a partnership with Joseph Rendell at Rendell Jewelers. In 1951, Lucile and Rowland bought the store and operated it until 1986. 

Rowland passed away in 1987. Lucille remained in DeKalb until 1996, when she moved to Sycamore, Illinois. She began to spend her winters in Marco Island, Florida. Lucille was a member of Marco Lutheran Church in Marco Island, Florida; Order of Eastern Star; The Christian Church in DeKalb, Illinois; and the DeKalb Woman's Club. In 2001, she moved to Wichita, Kansas, to be near her family.

Lucile Bunten Matteson passed away on Saturday, March 13, 2004. She left an estate gift to the DeKalb County Community Foundation that created four individual Funds. The Funds are different in who they support, each aligning with her charitable interests in the community. The Rowland and Lucille Matteson Funds honor their legacy and show love and support for DeKalb County.

• The Rowland and Lucile Matteson DeKalb High School Scholarship Fund provides a scholarship award for DeKalb High School students. 
• The Rowland and Lucile Matteson Conservation & Wildlife Fund supports conservation and wildlife preservation purposes.
• The Rowland and Lucile Matteson Elderly Assistance Fund provides assistance to the elderly of DeKalb County.
• The Rowland and Lucile Matteson Kishwaukee College Fund supports Kishwaukee Community College with capital improvements.