Russel C.
Mattke, age 94, of Reedsburg died Saturday, March 14, 2009
at his home of kidney failure following a brief illness.
Russel was born February 23, 1915 in
Woodruff, Wisconsin to Leo and Belle (Barnhart) Mattke, he
was the eldest of six children. He spent his early years in
the Woodruff area, working at various jobs including the
State of Wisconsin Conservation Department.
He moved to Milwaukee in 1943 and married
Arline Le Gault on February 26, 1944. He spent much of his
working life doing maintenance work, and retired from
Adelman Laundries and
Drycleaning. Russel moved with family to
rural Westfield in 1991, and in 2005 to Reedsburg.
He was an avid outdoors person, and was
happiest when he was out on the water in his fishing boat or
fishing from shore at Harrisville Pond. He deer-hunted
until he was 89 years old, sitting in his deer-blind in the
woods behind his home at Westfield. Yardwork, furniture
making, word-search puzzles, coin collecting, spending time
with family and friends, "tinkering around" in his workshop
and in his later years, driving a golf-cart around the
property in search of golf balls, and fishing in the
back-yard pond were also things he enjoyed.
Russel was preceded in death by his parents,
Belle and Leo Mattke; wife, Arline Mattke; brothers:
Everett, Ashley "Bucky", Harold "Blondie", Leo "Junior";
sister, Marge Dreger; grandson, Daniel Lee Wichman; and
son-in-law, Donald Heisler.
Survivors include: Son: Kenneth (Diane)
Mattke of Adams, Wisconsin; Daughter: Barbara Heisler of
Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Daughter: Carla (Steven) Miller of
Reedsburg, Wisconsin; Grandchildren: Dawn (Bill) Shookman of
Rural Hill, North Carolina; Shawn Mattke of
Stetsonville, Wisconsin; Nancy (Thomas) Hart
of Muskego, Wisconsin; Sherry (Pete) Grossman of Elkhorn,
Wisconsin; GreatGrandchildren: T.J. (Jeremy) Robinson;
Lynda (Thomas) Foeckler; Aleiha Grossman; Joshua Mattke;
Billy Shookman; Brandon Mattke, Debbie Hart; Rusty Shookman;
Jason Shookman. Great-Great Grandchildren: Hanna Wawrzyn,
Lexys Foeckler, Lillie Brenna Robinson and soon-to-be born
Quentin Russel Foeckler. He is further survived by nieces,
nephews and many friends.
In accordance with Russel's wishes, no
services will be held. Family and friends will gather at a
later date to celebrate his life.
Memorials may be directed to the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources or the charity of your
choice.
Roseberry's Funeral Home is assisting the
family. Visit www.roseberrys.com for online condolences and
further information. |
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