Marie A. Matsen

 

PORTAGE  -- Marie A. Matsen, age 87, of Portage, died on Thursday, December 10, 2009 at Meriter Hospital in Madison.

Marie was born on April 7, 1922, in Hordville, Nebraska, the daughter of Homer and Lillian (Kroeger) Branting.  She married Pastor Thor Matsen on September 8, 1944, celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary this year.  Together they served as Missionaries to Tanzania,East Africa from 1945 to 1956, also serving the congregations at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sheridan, WY from 1956 to 1962, at Augustana Lutheran Church, Hobart, IN, from 1962 to 1972, Calvary Lutheran Church, Louisville, KY, from 1972 to 1984.  Marie and Thor retired to Saddle Ridge in Portage in 1984.  They have been active in numerous churches and community organizations, and are members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church.  

Marie is survived by her husband, Pastor Thor Matsen, Portage; her children, Luther (Patricia) Matsen, Kailua Kona, HI, Karen Watkins, Montello, Sandra (Ronald) Poisel, Louisville, KY; four grandchildren, Jerusha (Wesley) Neal, Verona, NJ, Amy J. Matsen, Honolulu, HI, Leslie (Josh) Boll, Portland, OR, John I. Poisel, Louisville, KY; two great-grandchildren, Mercy and Josiah Neal, other relatives and many friends.  Marie was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Paul Alan Matsen, and her son-in-law, Carl Watkins. 

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Portage, with Rev. Dick Inglett officiating.  Burial will be private in Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville, IN. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the services at the church.  Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.

Memorials may be made to the ELCA Global Mission Fund. 

www.pmmfh.com