Harry T. Matthews
Harry T. Matthews passed away
peacefully at Agnesian Hospice Home of Hope on January 5th, 2020. Everyone who
knew him and loved him believes he decided to join the love of his life, Joan
Matthews, who went to heaven before him on December 24, 2019.
Harry was born October 27,
1930 in Dubuque, Iowa. Harry left
Dubuque as a young man worked a wide variety and met Joan in Milwaukee
1956. He said he saw her walking down
the street and that she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen and that
he just knew she was “the one”. They
married on January 18, 1957.
Harry spent a large part of
his life operating Harry’s Lakeview and The Harbor Minor Bar in Columbia
Park. After leaving the restaurant
business he embarked on a successful real estate career. Together, he and Joan operated Matthew V Real
Estate for many years. As broker/owners
they worked hard and were successful in building an organization that served
many buyers and sellers in the community.
Harry was a “big”
personality. Harry was not known for
filtering his words and was never shy about offering his opinions and
perspectives. Those that loved him and
knew him could always be sure that with Harry the saying of “What you see is
what you get” described him through and through. Definitely no pretenses…he was Harry and he
was one of a kind.
Harry’s life changed
dramatically when he quit drinking in 1977 and discovered the AA
Fellowship. He was proud of his 42 years
of sobriety and always held on to the fact and believed that recovery remained
a One Day at a Time process. He also held strong to the tenet that life was
about Progress and not Perfection. Jesus
also became a vital part of Harry’s life when he met Him early in his
recovery. Harry read the Bible and held
fast to his faith. He always trusted
that at the end of this life he would rejoice with the Savior in Heaven.
In his retirement years,
Harry enjoyed taking his moped out to Lakeside Park for rides and fishing from
the shore, playing golf, drinking coffee and reading the paper at The Blue
Goose, chatting and sharing stories with friends (and anyone who would
listen) and watching the Packers and the
Badgers. He also was happy whenever he
could spend time with his family.
Harry is survived by his
daughter Paula Thalacker (Brian), 3 sons, Tom (Karen) and Mike (Andrea Wimmer)
and Cary (Phyllis) of Dubuque, IA. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 8
great grandchildren, and sister-in-law, Judy Braun (Mike Herzer). Faithful
friends include Ray, Bill, Dale and Pastor Rob and Rhonda. Shelly Swenson was special to Harry and he
was thankful for her dedication to both he and Joan. He was preceded in death
by his wife, Joanie, and his 5 sisters (Enola, Mary Ellen, Gloria, Madonna and
Colleen) and an infant daughter, Debbie.
Special Thanks and
appreciation to the Hospice House of Hope caregivers who have such huge servant
hearts and who serve with such grace.
VISITATION: Since Harry and
Joanie decided to settle into their new Home within 12 days of each other, a
joint visitation will be held on Saturday, January 18th, 2020 from 9:30-11:30
at Kurki-Mach Funeral Chapel, 31 East Division Street, Fond du Lac.
SERVICE: A celebration of
life to remember them will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Kurki-Mach Funeral Chapel.
They will both be missed by many but all can be comforted in knowing they are
now dancing together again with no sickness and no pain.
In lieu of flowers, memorials
for Joan and Harry should be directed to Hospice Home of Hope, 400 County Rd.
K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.
Kurki-Mach Funeral Chapel
& Crematory is serving the family, www.kurkimachfuneralchapel.com. 920-921-4420