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Obituary for Norman C. Matthews
Norman Carl Matthews lived to be 86 years old and passed away at his home in Frederic on Thursday, January 26, 2017.
Norman was born on September 8, 1930 to Otto and Anna Matthews in Polk County, Township of Luck. He was married to Helen (Hackett) Sauerbrey on December 30, 1963 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Frederic, WI. Helen had six children from a previous marriage. Norman said, "It was a package deal, I got 6 free kids." Norman enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, reading western books, watching sports, crossword puzzles, bowling, playing cards, class reunions socializing and making jokes.
As a teenager, Norman did farm work for Algy Boe which is now Dodd's farm in Frederic. This kept him from trying out for football, but Norman did play basketball and baseball at Frederic High School. He also operated a backhoe for Hochstetler Black Topping for several years. He could dig a level trench when others couldn't. He was also a plumber for Kermit Larson and was a logger before chainsaws existed. Norman spent the last 12 years of his career operating a gravel crusher for Arlan Pope Construction Inc., Webster, WI.
Norman was a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. He joined September 19, 1951 and was discharged September 18, 1954. Norman was a Korean War Veteran and earned four service medals: the Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation. Norman was a member of VFW POST 10232 Lewis, WI.
Norman was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; parents, Otto and Anna (Wendlandt) Matthews; brothers, Donald, Alvin "Pete", Morris; and sisters, Elda Matthews, Esther Heunisch.
Norman is survived by step-sons, Larry (Peggy) Hackett, Jerry (Renee) Hackett, Kenny (Kris) Hackett and Scott Hackett, all of Frederic; step-daughters, Lee (Mike) Olson of Mason City, Iowa and Karen Lieder of Osceola, Wis.; 13 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and 7 great-great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Leroy Sauerbrey, Bill Sauerbrey, Marvin Sauerbrey, Orville Sauerbrey; and sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Loucks, Joyce Klingbell, Ruth Tibbs, Martha Hauer, Linda Grinnell, Gladys Matthews; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at the Rowe Funeral Home in Frederic on Wednesday, February 1st from 4 to 7 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Frederic on Thursday, February 2nd. Visitation at the church will begin at 10 a.m. followed by the service at 11 a.m. Rev. Paul Peterson will be officiating. Norman will be laid to rest at Maple Grove Cemetery in Frederic following the service. Full Military Honors will be presented at that time.
You are invited to leave condolences, memories and photos at www.rowefh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home in Frederic, 715-327-4475.
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