MATTER, Ruth Margaret (Blegan) 1917 - 1999

JUVE, BLEGAN, MATTER, YOUNG

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 9/16/2010 at 14:54:51

Decorah Journal, Thursday, Jan. 7, 1999

Press Time Bulletin ----------------------------------------------

RUTH MATTER, 81, of rural Postville, died Monday, Jan. 4, 1999, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in LaCrosse, Wis., after a short illness.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Jan. 8, at 11 a.m., at Decorah Lutheran Church, with burial in St. John's Cemetery in Locust.

Visitation will be held Thursday, Jan. 7, at the French & Balik Funeral home from 3-8 p.m., and at the church Friday from 10 a.m. until service time.

Survivors include one son, Richard of Postville; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Helen Young of Cedar Rapids.
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Decorah Public Opinion, Tuesday, January 12, 1999

Ruth Matter

Ruth Matter, 81, of rural Postville, died Monday, Jan. 4, 1999, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis., after a short illness.

Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 8, at 11 a.m., at Decorah Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Tim Tostengard officiating.

Al Sensor was the organist Linda Gjere was the soloist, singing "In the Garden." The congregation sang "How Great Thou Art" and "Rock of Ages."

Casket bearers were John Matter, Gordon Matter, Steve Matter, Leslie Young, Mark Young, Charles Sensor, Harlan Palmer, Bill Keefe, Leonard Lansing and Gerald Harvey.

Interment was at the St. John's Cemetery in Locust, the French & Balik Funeral Home handled arrangements.

Ruth Margaret (Blegan) Matter was born Oct. 16, 1917, near Big Canoe, in northern Winneshiek County, the daughter of Ole and Mayme (Juve) Blegan.

She was baptized and later confirmed at Big Canoe Church.

On Nov. 2, 1938, Ruth was united in marriage with Elmer Matter. To this union one son was born, Richard.

Ruth was very active in many community groups. One of her biggest interests was in dairy promotions. For many years, she served as coordinator for the Winneshiek County dairy princess contest. In 1980, she was presented a plaque for her service. In 1983, Ruth was given the Distinguished Dairy Woman award from Winneshiek County.

She also volunteered at the hospital and was an avid bowler and rarely missed a Friday night. Ruth and Elmer worked for many years at Matter's Ballroom. After retirement, they continued to enjoy going there to dance.

She and Elmer also like to take trips. They went on numerous bus tours and always made new friends. They enjoyed going "up North" with Helen and Lester Young to fish.

Ruth was active in the Rebekahs and, when she was still able, an active circle member. She enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her son, Richard and Lois Matter of Postville; three grandchildren, Lincoln Matter, Lynette Matter and Lance and Lois Matter; two great-grandchildren, Erik and Anna Matter; and one sister, Helen Young of Cedar Rapids.

Ruth Matter was preceded in death by her parents, and by her husband, Elmer, who died in May of 1988.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.