VanMatre, Marie E. PLATTEVILLE Marie E. VanMatre, age 91, of Platteville, Wisconsin, died on Wednesday morning, March 27, 1996, at the Southwest Health Center in Platteville, Wisconsin. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 30, 1996, at 11:30 a.m. at' the FIRST ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH, Platteville. The Rev. JoAnn Post will ville. Greenwood Cemetery. buriofficiate with burial in then Platteal will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Friends may call at the MERGEN-BOLL FUNERAL HOME, Platteville, on Friday, March 29, 1996, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday after 10:30 a.m. The Eastern Star service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the First English Lutheran Church or the library at Platteville High School. Marie E. VanMatre, the daughter of Sever and Mathilda Halrast Johnson, was born on November 18, 1904, in Coon Valley, Wisconsin. She graduated from Westby High School in 1921. completing her three year secondary, School course in at 1924, the Marie LaCrosse taught Nor- at Tigerton, Wisconsin, for three years prior to her r marriage to Clarence A. Thomas in 1927. Mr. Thomas died in 1928. Marie returned to the LaCrosse Normal School and earned her BS degree. She taught in Neillsville, Wisconsin, from 1929 until 1935, when she came to Platteville. Marie taught at Platteville until retiring in 1951. During her years at Platteville, Marie completed her MA in Speech and English from the University of WisconsinMadison. In 1947, Marie was united in marriage to Joseph M. VanMatre. They enjoyed 42 years of marriage. Mr. VanMatre died on February 14, 1990. After her husband's retirement in 1962, Joe and Marie moved to Cassville, Wisconsin, where they lived until 1986 when they returned to Platteville. For 25 years they spent the winter in Arizona. Marie was a member of the First English Lutheran Church. She was also a member and past president of Church Women United. In addition, Marie was also an active member of Miriam Chapter OES #15 from 1948 until her death. She served as Worthy Matron in 1955 and was a member of the Past Matron's Club. Marie was also a charter member and past president of Chapter BN of the PEO sisterhood. She also had been a member of the Tourist Club and Monday evening club of Platteville. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Esther Steinhorst; a brother, Lloyd a stepson, Fred "Fritz". VanMatre. Survivors include a daughter, Betsy (James) DeMerit of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; a sister, Elaine Grindell of Platteville, Wisconsin; two stepsons, William (Ruth) VanMatre of Clancy, Montana, and Victor (Audry) VanMatre of Coalinga, California; 13 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. The Mergen-Boll Funeral Home (1 of Platteville is serving the family.
