Ruby A Matz

Ruby Ann Matz (Wiese), 98, of Lac du Flambeau, WI, died peacefully at Milestone Senior Living in Woodruff, WI, on Sunday, February 5, 2017. Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest Emil and Bertha Louise Wiese (Mueller) of Dubuque, IA, by her sister, Evelyn Sterling of Simi Valley CA, by her brother, Vern Wiese of Hanover, IL, by her husband of 56 years, Leonard Peter Matz of Lac du Flambeau, WI, by her son, Peter Jon Matz of St. Germain, WI, and by her granddaughter, Meredith Lee Matz of Marlborough, MA. Ruby is survived by four of her five sons: Dr. Leonard Lee Matz (Marilyn) of Arbor Vitae, WI, Dennis Michael Matz (Ann) of Waukesha, WI, Eric Keith Matz (Elizabeth) of Boulder Junction, WI and Hunt, TX, and Timothy Paul Matz (Ellen) of Alvin, TX, and daughter-in-law, Ann Worthing Matz of St. Germain, WI. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Michelle Matz Wartak (Martin) of Cambridge, MA, Melissa Matz and Allison Matz of Milwaukee, WI, Eric C. Matz (Joan) of Lenoir, NC, Heidi Matz Hargis (Kevin) of Lodi, WI, Jennifer Matz Beine (Jim) of Brookfield, WI, Michael Matz (Marisa) of Carlsbad, CA, Dr. Maj. Emily Matz Corbin (Brandon) of Silver Spring, MD, Rachel Matz Culp (James) of River Falls, WI, Sarah Matz of Buda, TX, Ellyn Wehler (Erik) of Stevens Point, WI, Holly Pettersson (Jimmy) of Minocqua, WI, and Nicholas Matz of Portales, NM. In addition, Ruby is survived by 16 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, as well as, her nieces Suzy Sterling of Simi Valley, CA, Teri Sterling Beardsley (David) of Fredericksburg, VA, and grandnieces Kayla Beardsley of Fredericksburg, VA, and Kristen Budd (Carl) of New Berlin, WI.

Ruby was born on May 15, 1918, in Minnehaha County, SD. The family moved to Sherrill’s Mound, IA, and then to Dubuque, IA. Ruby graduated from Dubuque Sr. High School where she played guard on the basketball team. There she met the love of her life, Leonard Peter Matz. They were married in the fall of 1937 and had three sons before Leonard left to serve in WWII as a PT Boat Skipper in the South Pacific. When he returned from the war two more sons were added to the family. They crossed the river from Iowa to Illinois and settled as a family in Savanna, IL, where Leonard resumed his teaching career. Ruby waited until her sons were in high school before she began her own academic career. She attended Eastern New Mexico University and Northern Illinois University, attaining her bachelor’s degree at the age of 53. She immediately began her teaching career at a Rockford, Illinois elementary school where the family then lived. Ruby loved teaching and was devoted to her young students.

The Matz family enjoyed the outdoors and was drawn to the Northwoods where all the boys were active at Camp Strongheart for Boys in Woodruff. Ruby spent these summers at the Strongheart Colony. The family bought land in Lac du Flambeau and built a cabin. They soon began dreaming of building a home on the adjacent land, a perfect spot for their retirement. They built a house with a view of the lake, doing nearly all the work by hand with the help of their sons.

Leonard and Ruby moved to the Northwoods permanently in 1977. Ruby was an avid gardener, an incredibly creative artist, a wonderful cook, who loved her pets: Rob-Roy, Pablina and Schatze, and was a member of many book groups. She was a 50-year member of the women’s group PEO, which promotes educational opportunities for women, serving in many offices including chapter president. Ruby was active in the Community Presbyterian Church of Lac du Flambeau, where she taught Sunday School, volunteered at The Attic, and served in various leadership roles. She and Leonard enjoyed being Volunteers in Mission for the Presbyterian Church in several different locations including Wasatch Academy in Utah, Mo Ranch in Texas, and Scarritt Bennett Center in Tennessee. Ruby continued volunteering throughout her life at Howard Young Medical Center and at Lac du Flambeau elementary school where she read to children. Even in her golden years she continued to look for ways to help others and to bring joy to all around her. Her fortitude was an inspiration to her friends and family. She insisted on heating her house with wood into her 90’s and was quite disappointed when her sons bought her a furnace. She lived at the lake and managed her own affairs until she was 94, and moved to assisted living only to appease her worried family. We were blessed to have had her as our Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Great-Great-Grandmother and friend.

A Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, May 20, at 2:00 p.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church, Lac du Flambeau, WI, with visitation prior to the service from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Community Presbyterian Church (643 Old Abe Road, Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538) or to Mo Ranch Presbyterian Conference Center (2229 FM 1340, Hunt, TX 78024) or to the charity of your choice.