"My sincere condolences to you and your family in this time of sorrow. May memories of the good times shared bring peace and comfort to your heavy hearts. With deepest sympathy, Paul Drenckhahn"
In loving memory of
Bernard Walter Matzke
January 10, 1923 - April 29, 2012
Bernard Walter Matzke, 89, of Faribault a former St. Charles and Lewiston resident, died Sunday, April 29, 2012 at Milestone Memory Care in Faribault.
Bernard was born January 10, 1923 in Winona to Herman and Elsie (Drenckhahn) Matzke. In 1940 he graduated from Lewiston Public School. Following high school Bernard attended Winona State College and St. Mary's College in Winona. In 1942 he entered the U.S. Army serving from 1942 - 1946 as a Technical Sargent. He and Loretta Anna Nuszloch were married February 3, 1945 at the Bethany Moravian Church. Bernard worked as an adjustor and manager for Rollingstone Mutual Fire Insurance Company and sold Real Estate for Tews Realty of Winona. From 1949 - 1977 Bernard was the owner and manager of Lewiston Hardware, Co. Inc. In 1991 the couple moved to St. Charles and recently moved to Faribault.
Bernard enjoyed watching baseball, fishing and taking care of his yard. He played baseball for Lewiston and had been recruited by the Philly's as a young man.
Bernard was a member of Faith Lutheran Church of St. Charles. While in Lewiston he was a member and former Treasurer of the Lewiston Lions Club; active in the Lewiston Businessmen's association; served on the Fire Department from 1948 - 1976 and as fire chief 1951 - 1954, he was as an EMT for the Lewiston Ambulance Service and was the Lewiston City Clerk from 1948-1966.
Survivors include his wife Loretta, five children; Jim (Patti) Matzke of Maple Grove, Barb Guildner of Ellendale, Beth Matzke of Minneapolis, Alan (Vicki) Matzke of Faribault and Cheryl Matzke of Champlain; nine-grandchildren; Christina (Patrick) Crow, Katie (Jeff) Heggemeier, Brian (Annie) Matzke, Joe (Helene) Matzke, Carey (Simon) Garcia, Leah (Tom) Buermann, Melissa Fohrman, Andy (Brooke) Matzke and Dani (Bobbi Harris) Matzke and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son-in-law Dana Guildner and a great-grandchild.
Funeral Services will be 11AM Wednesday at Faith Lutheran Church in St. Charles with the Reverend Steve McGinley officiating. A reception will follow with burial in Lewiston Public Cemetery. Friends may call one hour before services at the church. Please share a memory of Bernard at his on-line guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com. Hoff Funeral Service of St. Charles is assisting the family with arrangements.
The Lewiston American Legion will conduct graveside military honors.
Tributes
"I send condolences to the Bernard Matzke family. I remember trips to the hardward store with my father, Webster. I also remember mom and dad visiting with the Matzke's about activities concerning the Lion's. My sympathy to all. Mary Fischer Lindell"
"So sorry to hear of Bernies passing!He was such a sweet man,I can remember going into the hardware as a very small child thinking this is the coolest mall I have ever been in!He always had a smile.,I hope you all have comfort knowing that he is in heaven now and enjoying his new eternal life,no doubt hitting a baseball!Hold on to the memories,my memories of him so long ago put a smile on my face!God Bless!Take care!"
"Al, Vicki, and Family members, It was a delight to get to know Bernie during the past couple years that he lived here in Faribault. He was also such a gracious gentleman when I visited him. May God grant you comfort in the days ahead, and sustain you with the promise of the Resurrection. Pastor Steve"
"So sorry to hear about Bernie. I was fortunate to have grownup in Lewiston while he was such a respected ambassador for the community. I also was fortunate to live across the street from the Matzke's for several years. When I would go into the hardware to get something for our house Bernie would also suggest items for me in that calm voice and grin on his face he had that went along with the wink. Ex. "Ya know Steve, we have these rakes on sale here today" or "This lawn fertilizer really works" and when I got home, I would notice that my lawn was in bad shape underneath all those leaves that were laying on top and I would go back down to the hardware and make the purchase that he knew I needed. He was a very friendly person and will be missed by us all. Steve & June"
"So sorry to hear about Bernie. I was fortunate to have grownup in Lewiston while he was such a respected ambassador for the community. I also was fortunate to live across the street from the Matzke's for several years. When I would go into the hardware to get something for our house Bernie would also suggest items for me in that calm voice and grin on his face he had that went along with the wink. Ex. "Ya know Steve, we have these rakes on sale here today" or "This lawn fertilizer really works" and when I got home, I would notice that my lawn was in bad shape underneath all those leaves that were laying on top and I would go back down to the hardware and make the purchase that he knew I needed. He was a very friendly person and will be missed by us all. Steve & June"
"To the Family of Bernie my thoughts are with you in this time of sorrow but never forget all the memories of Bernie's life.I first meet Bernie when I joined Camera Art in 1956 and always considered Bernie a friend. Time will heal and mermories remain forvever. God bless all of you. Roger"
"I remember Bernard when we both were students at St Mary's. Most of all I remember him as a pitcher for the Lewiston baseball team. I played for Rollingstone at the time but I remember his fast ball. He could really zig it in there. We didn't have radar in those days to measure a fastball's speed but I'll bet his was in the 90's. Bless you and may you find comfort in being His Halsey Cory '42 (St Mary's)"
"I, too, remember how nice (great) Uncle Bernie was to me and my sisters whenever we would see him. He always would ask us questions and make us feel welcome. I remember my dad (Louie Kieffer) telling me stories about when he and my mom (Bonnie Nuszloch) were first married and he had to have back surgery; how uncle Bernie helped them out as money was tight by letting dad sell his tooled leather pieces in the hardware store. He was a very caring and generous man. Family was very important to him."
"Oh Grandpa! I would love to have you offer me one last Tic Tac- or crush me in a game of 500 over a bowl of ice cream!- or take me on beautiful drive to the Branding Iron, or tell me how Grandma was the bird lover while you filled the bird feeder...I miss you but know I will be with you again, and until then will think of you often. Love, Tina "
"I remember Bernie at the Hardware Store. He was always so helpful and friendly. I also played Starlight Moonlight with Jim and Barb whenever we were at Unlcle Lyle and Aunt Marion Blanchard's house for someone's birthday. I have many fond memories of Bernie and Loretta from my childhood. He was a good guy!"
"Grandpa, I will miss you very much. I loved how you would always hold my hand so tight, we would talk about cars and which ones you had over the years and how much fun it was to drive fast, and you would always say before I left or hung up the phone, "Have a good day Miss Leah". I love you Grandpa. Love, Leah"
"Bernie was always a gentleman and well known business man in Lewiston. I remember going into his hardware store in Lewiston and I especially remember it at Christmas time when he would decorate the store and it was even open on Friday nights in December. That is where I did my shopping for my mom and dad for Christmas and it was the greatest store in Lewiston - he had all great things lined up on the shelves. Even though I was a young gal, Bernie always took the time to talk to me even if I was just tagging along with my Dad. He was always so very kind to me as a kid and that is how I remember him. Beth, I hope all is well with you. If I didn't have to work on Wed., I would come to the visitation so I could see you again. You were always such a sweet person to me in school. It is hard to lose a parent because you have always had them in your life. Take care, Kim"
"I enjoyed knowing Bernie very much. One of the "good guys." Rest in God's grace."