"My sympathies to you all on the passing of Dorothy. She really helped make the area we were raised in great."
In loving memory of
Dorothy E. Mattes
February 22, 1922 - April 14, 2013
Dorothy E. Mattes, 91, of Laurel, NE passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2013 in Laurel, NE.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at United Presbyterian Church in Laurel, NE with Pastor Dennis Hett officiating. Interment will be in the Wakefield Cemetery in Wakefield, NE. Visitation with the family present will begin at 6:00 P.M., with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Mohr Funeral Home in Ponca, NE. Online condolences to the family may be posted at www.mohrfuneralhome.com.
Honorary pallbearers are Dorothy's granddaughters, great granddaughters and great, great granddaughters. Active pallbearers are Dorothy's grandsons; Andy and Jon Fredricksen, Erik, David, and Bryan Mattes, Dennis Hart, Brad Rath, and great grandsons, Josh and Justin Hart and Drew Tilley.
Dorothy Emma Mattes was born February 22, 1922, in Wakefield, Nebraska to Victor and Clementine Weaver. She attended school in Wakefield. On March 6, 1941 she married Earl Mattes. They farmed all their life and celebrated 61 years of marriage before Earl's death on Jan. 1, 2002.
Dorothy was the Dixon County District #4 Supervisor for Clark, Concord and Logan Townships for 24 years. She was very proud of serving on the Dixon County Board of Supervisors. Dorothy represented Dixon County on Region IV, a board that served 20 counties and served on the Region IV Council in South Sioux City, NE. Anyone knowing Dorothy knew she had a passion and love for her job and she did it well. Dorothy had the distinction of being the only woman at that time to serve on the Dixon County Board of Supervisors.
Aside from her job, Dorothy was a loyal wife, nurturing mother, loving grandmother, and giving neighbor. She radiated optimism and was strong beyond compare. She adored her family and friends. Every meal at her house was a feast. Dorothy looked forward to every holiday, eager to welcome all her loved ones into her home to celebrate.
Dorothy is survived by three children; daughter, Shirley Fredricksen and husband Tom; Laurel, NE, son, Dennis Mattes, and wife, Karen; Gretna, NE and daughter, Ellen Collins, and the late Kirk Collins; Omaha, NE. Grandchildren; Julie and Dennis Hart; Laurel, NE, Shelly and Brad Rath; Coleridge, NE, Andy and Jon Fredricksen; Laurel, NE, Erik and Pola Mattes; Honolulu,HI, David Mattes; Omaha, NE and Bryan Mattes; Gretna, NE, Ashley and Paige Collins; Omaha, NE. Great grandchildren, Josh and Britney Hart; Belden, NE, and Justin Hart; Laurel, NE, Stephanie and Jason Love; Norfolk, NE, Amy Rath; Fort Worth, TX, and Katie Rath; Sioux Falls, SD, and Drew Tilley; Glenwood, IA. Great, great grandchildren (5th Generation) Haley and Hannah Hart; Belden, NE.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law; husband, Earl Mattes; son, Franklin Mattes; son in law, Kirk Collins; and three brothers and their wives.
Tributes
"My great sympathy to the family - Dorothy's was a life well lived with many reasons to appreciate her - her hard work and kindness among them."
"We remember Dorothy and Earl as very good friends of the Noe family in Clark township. Dorothy was a great neighbor and will always be thought of with high regard."
"Dorothy will be missed by everyone at Hillcrest Care Center. She was truly a sweet and special lady. Our deepest sympathies are with all of Dorothy's family. "
"To the family of Dorothy Mattes.....so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Willis and Gloria Schultz"
"'When someone you love becomes a memory ~ the memory becomes a treasure! Dorothy will be remembered for her caring and sharing personality. Always had a ready smile to greet you.
Our deepest sympathy to her loving family."
"Dorothy was one of the first women I met after moving to the Dixon area. I was always amazed at her positive attitude, always happy. She had such a contagious laugh. We became good friends living out on the farm, shared a lot of laughs as well as wall as many unhappy times. She always looked at situations in a positive way. She was a wonderful wife, mom, and grandmother. If it were not for Dorothy, the farm roads would still be just mud. She was a fighter when she believed in something and had such a sense of fairness. She will be missed."
"I can always remember going to family reunions and when Dorothy came in I couldn't wait to get hugs from her. Even after Grandma(Minnie Nobbe) passed away Dorothy was giving me a hug and told me that she expected me to be the person Grandma wanted me to be and I better be good. She would keep me on track and it didn't matter how old I was she would still scold me if I did something wrong. She will be missed very much. Sending deepest condolence to everyone."
"To Aunt Dorothy's Family, You all are in my thoughts at this time. "
"We enjoyed seeing "Grama Dorothy while visiting Karen and Denny in Nebraska!" She was the happiest when surrounded by her wonderful family, and always welcomed us as if we were family. She appreciated everyone and everything in life and will be missed by many! Our love to the family of Mrs. Dorothy Mattes; you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, MK, Don and Johnny Votta"
"To the family of Dorothy, We want to express our sincere condolences to the family on her death. We have many wonderful memories of the Mattes families in Dixon County during all the years we served the Lord through personal sadness and joys in the family. Lovingly in Christ, "