Freeborn County District 1 Commissioner Glen Mathiason is recovering after undergoing open heart surgery last month.

The operation took place Feb. 9 at a hospital in Billings, Montana. Mathiason said he became aware of his condition Feb. 2 while visiting a friend in Cody, Wyoming. He later learned his heart was 90 percent blocked. 

“I’ve had some stints, so I had the feeling that something wasn’t right, and I went down in the emergency room,” Mathiason said.

“It was pretty critical. When I went in there, that’s the way they worded it.”

He was taken to a hospital 1 1/2 hours away in Billings, Montana, which housed a catheter lab. An angiogram was taken. 

After surgery, Mathiason remained in the hospital until Feb. 15, and he flew home two days later.

Mathiason, who missed both Freeborn County Commissioners meetings in February, attended Tuesday’s meeting.

“I’m getting along pretty good for the time factor and everything,” he said.

Mathiason is expected to begin cardiac rehabilitation today.

A farmer, Mathiason expects he will need some help during spring planting season but hopes he will be able to drive a tractor.