Matsen, Eugene L. 1922-2003

MATSEN, SHEFFIELD, ANDERSON, BRAGA, SMITH

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 10/20/2005 at 20:17:41

Eugene L. "Joe" Matsen, 81, of 517 N. 6th Ave. E. died of complications of Alzheimer's disease Friday, April 25, at Skiff Medical Center in Newton.

A memorial service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Newton. Immediate cremation took place. Private burial will take place prior to the memorial service in Newton Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Steven Pannkuk, pastor of the church, and Merle Smith, chaplain of Skiff Medical Center in Newton, officiating.

A visitation with the family will follow the memorial service at a reception coffee at the church. Reese Funeral Home in Newton is handling arrangements. Memorials will be accepted to the American Diabetes Association or to the Alzheimer's Association.

The son of Walter J. and Irma (Sheffield) Matsen, he was born Jan. 24, 1922, in Estherville. He graduated from Ames High School in 1941 and served in the United States Army during World War II in the South Pacific. He married Ethel Anderson on March 30, 1946. He worked for Western Union Telegraph Co. until 1950, and began working for the Maytag Company in January 1951. He retired in 1985.

Mr. Matsen moved to Newton from Knoxville and was a resident of Newton for 50 years. He was a member of Elks Lodge No. 1270 in Newton.

Survivors include his wife; two sons and daughters-in-law, Steven and Connie Matsen and Bruce and Cindy Matsen of Newton; a daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Greg Braga of Newton; three grandchildren; one great-grandson; and a brother, Vernon Matsen of New Providence.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Phyllis Smith, and twin grandchildren.

The Newton (IA) Daily News, Wednesday, April 30, 2003