Leora Frieda Matzke

St. Charles Leora F. Matzke, 98, of St. Charles passed away Sunday, November 24, 2013 at her home. Leora Frieda Kurth was born September 5, 1915 in Quincy Township of Olmsted County to Albert and Anna (Putzier) Kurth. On June 12, 1935, she married Ervin F. Matzke at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in St. Charles. Ervin and Leora farmed and raised their children in the Elba, Altura and St. Charles areas. Leora spent her time caring for her children, and enjoyed doing the laundry as well as sewing out of necessity. Her children thought her homemade bread was the best and she also enjoyed taking care of her chickens and ducks. Ervin was killed in a vehicle accident on March 10, 1980. She and Ervin enjoyed many trips on their Harley and celebrated her 95th birthday with a Harley ride. In recent years Leora divided her time living on her farm south of St. Charles and visiting her many children living in the Henderson, Nevada area. She was a member of St.Matthew Lutheran Church in St. Charles. Survivors include her children, Larry (Marilyn) Matzke of Las Vegas, NV Marie (Rudie) Spitzer of St. Charles, Carol Grausnick of Henderson, NV, Linda (Merle) Hagen of Pahrump, NV, Willard Matzke of St. Charles, Judy Sorensen of Henderson, NV, Janice (Glenn) Timmers of Rochester, Susan Matzke Biernat of Black Forest, CO, Edward Matzke of Henderson, NV and Arlys (Jay) Scheinbaum of Henderson, NV, 43 grandchildren, 73 great-grandchildren, 23 great-great-grandchildren and one sister Phyllis Mussell of Utica. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Betty Ann, sons Frederick and Curtis Matzke, three grandchildren and her three brothers; Marvin, Howard and Raymond Kurth. Funeral Services will be 11AM Saturday at St. Matthew Lutheran Church with the Reverend Morshing officiating. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery. Friends may call from 5-8PM Friday at Hoff Funeral Service in St. Charles, and one hour before services at the church. Memorials are preferred to the church. Please share a memory of Leora at her on-line guestbook at view her Tribute Video when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/444864