Irene M Matthes

Irene M. Matthes

Irene M. Matthes, 87, Topeka, died Saturday, Aug. 21, 2004, at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka. She was born April 3, 1917, in St. Paul, Minn., to Mathias and Mary Grace Cook Stoffels. She married Albert Rapp in 1935. Seven children were born to that union. A later marriage to Harold Matthes resulted in moving to Faribault, Minn., to Floyd, Iowa, in 1948. Two children were born during the family's stay in Floyd. The family moved to Charles City, Iowa, during the 1960's. Irene resided in Charles City until 2002 when she moved to Topeka. Irene retired from her position as head cook at the Chautauqua Nursing Homes in Charles City in 1979. She was a member of the Ladies V.F.W. Auxiliary and of St. Catherine's Circle for many years . Her favorite pastimes included cooking, reading, and spending time with her family. She is preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Harold Matthes; two sons, John Rapp and Joe Rapp; a daughter, Dorothy Matthews; two grandsons; one granddaughter; one great-grandson; two great-granddaughters; and one great-great grandson. Survivors include four daughters, Vali Reams and her husband, Mark, Topeka, Eileen Caldwell and her husband, John, Salt Lake City, Marge Reed and her husband, Jim, Greene, Iowa, and Paula Jacobson, Mason City, Iowa; two sons, Don Rapp and his wife, Sharon, Yuma, Ariz., and Tony Matthes, Cedar Falls, Iowa; two sisters, Betty Cummings, Calif., and Elaine Hendricks, Texas; 26 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Services and burial will be in Charles City, Iowa. Hauser Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements in Charles City and Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town is in charge of arrangements in Topeka. Burial will be in Sunnyside Memory Gardens in Charles City, Iowa.