Obituaries from the week of September 4, 2002

Marie Huberty, 93

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Sept. 6, 2002 for Marie Huberty at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, MN. Visitation will be on Thursday, Sept. 5 from 2 to 3 p.m. with a 2:30 p.m. Rosary by the Christian Mothers at the Divine Providence Community Chapel and continuing on Friday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, MN.

Marie Broker Huberty, age 93, of Sleepy Eye, MN, died Friday, August 30, 2002, at Divine Providence Community Home in Sleepy Eye, MN.

Marie was born September 7, 1908 in Collegeville, MN. She graduated from Cathedral High School in St. Cloud and St. Cloud Business College. Prior to her marriage in 1934 to Joseph Huberty of Tracy, MN, Marie was employed by Zapp State Bank and the City Treasurer's Office in St. Cloud. In 1952, the family moved to Sleepy Eye where Marie has been an active member of St. Mary's Christian Mothers, the Hospital Auxililary and Divine Providence Community Home Auxiliary. She was also a founding leader of the Sleepy Eye Busy Bees 4-H Club.

Marie is survived by her four children; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials be given to the charity of one's choice.

Interment was in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Sleepy Eye, MN with the Sturm Funeral Home of Sleepy Eye handling arrangements.

James T. Mathiason, 79

Funeral services for James T. Mathiason, 79, of Walnut Grove were held on Mon., Sept. 2, 2002 at Old Westbrook Evangelical Lutheran Church. Officiating at the service was Rev. Michael Stangeland. Organist was Shirley Iverson and soloist was Rebecca Schoper. Special music was provided by “Rise Up Singin” and James' grandsons. Casketbearers were Paul Mathiason, Jeff Mathiason, Nathan Jones, Jacob Mathiason, Craig Jones and Adam Herbst. Interment was held at Old Westbrook Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Ann Township, Cottonwood County, MN.

Arrangements were handled by Walnut Grove Funeral Home of Walnut Grove.

James Theodore Mathiason was born November 21, 1922 to Jacob and Bertha (Olson) Mathiason on the home farm in Ann Township, Cottonwood County, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Old Westbrook Lutheran Church and was a member of that church all of his life. He attended school in District 4, Ann Township and graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1941.

On June 15, 1947, James and Gladys Hedman of Storden were married at Old Westbrook Lutheran Church. James farmed all of his life, first with his father, Jacob, and then with his sons, Bruce and Glen, until he retired in 1984. James served his community as a member of the Revere Elevator Board, Westbrook Mutual Insurance Company, and the Walnut Grove School Board. He served his church as a Sunday School teacher and a member of the church council which included six years as the congregational president.

James was a skilled woodworker and liked to make furniture, including grandfather clocks and other pieces of furniture, which are now in the homes of his family and friends. He also enjoyed horses and restoring horse buggies.

About four years ago, he was diagnosed as having Alzheimers disease. He was able to remain in his home until August 12, 2002, when he entered St. John's Lutheran Home in Springfield. He died there on August 29, 2002 at the age of 79 years, 9 months and 8 days.

He is survived by his wife Gladys, Walnut Grove; two sons, Bruce (Thea) Mathiason, Walnut Grove, Glen (Patti) Mathiason, Walnut Grove; three daughters, Gail (Bill) Jones, Rockford, MN, Melanie (Michael) O'Neil, Andover, MN and Cynthia (Brian) Herbst, Kasson, MN; thirteen grandchildren; two sisters, Mavis (Virgil) Bergene, Adams, MN and Audrey (Don) Soderling, Emmett, ID.

He is preceded in death by his parents and an infant son.