Joanne Mary (Wambeke) Matthys was born on July 27, 1934, in rural Cottonwood to John and Mary (VanOverbeke) Wambeke. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from Cottonwood High School. Joanne worked at Western State Bank in Marshall after high school. On August 16, 1958, Joanne was united in marriage to James Matthys. The couple farmed and raised their family outside of Wood Lake. Joanne enjoyed her role as a farmer’s wife, and was willing to help in the fields when she was needed. In her spare time, Joanne could be found cooking, sewing, or gardening. In 2003, Joanne moved the Madison Avenue Apartments in Minneota, where she enjoyed Bingo, dice, and sewing, as well as picking on the staff whom she appreciated so much.
Joanne died Friday, December 14, 2018, at Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. She is survived by her son-in-law Jay Stolp of Milroy, children Brenda Petersen of St. Cloud, FL, Lisa (Mark) Cuhel of Winsted, and Scott (Bonnie) Matthys of Wood Lake; grandchildren Dustin (Heather) Stolp, Tiffany (Cole) Guetter, Sean Petersen, Mackenzie Petersen, Samantha (Jared) Pierce, Cody (Jessika) Cuhel, Adam Cuhel, Brandy (Matt) VanWinkle, and Jimmy Kerby; great-grandchildren Asbjorn, Kjell, Cora, Chase, Brooklyn, Gabriel, Brooklyn, Ryelan, Maven, Eliana; siblings John (Celine) Wambeke, Daniel (Helen) Wambeke, Bernard (Darlene) Wambeke, Maryann Beebout, Diane (Wendel) Rude, and sister-in-law Bev Wambeke. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband James, daughter Linda Stolp, grandson Tyler Cuhel, and brothers Donald and Richard Wambeke.
