Remembering Larry Matthesen

 (Editor's Note:  One of the best-known student athletes at Chadron High School in the 1950s and 1960s has died.  Larry Matthesen was born in Butte County South Dakota but spent most of his "growing up years" in Nebraska, where he graduated from Chadron High School and later Chadron State College – then marrying Jean Gatzemeyer; they took teaching jobs in Rushville and then Gering, Nebraska for several years before retiring from teaching and moving to Custer, South Dakota.  Larry passed away on Thursday, December 5, 2024 in Custer with Jean at his side.  We understand that "Matt" and Jean both crafted their own obituaries some years ago; what follows was distributed at Larry's funeral at the Mountainview Baptist Church in Custer on December 13, 2024.)

REMEMBERING LARRY

On April 24, 1943, Louie and Priscilla Matthesen and daughter Virginia were blessed with baby Larry Dean Matthesen.  He was later joined by his brother, Craig Reid Matthesen.

From elementary school to obtaining a Master's degree, Larry attended school in Chadron, Nebraska.  Larry served as his class president from seventh to tenth grade.  He also earned his Eagle Scout honor and was active in all sports, with basketball being his favorite.  He received many athletic honors with being named to the All-State Basketball team when his team won the 1961 Class-B Basketball Tournament.  Larry was awarded the Nebraska State Elk's Leadership Scholarship along with a basketball stipend which paid for his college education.  Larry was employed by his father at the Chadron Creamery where his specialty was popsicle making.  Later, he worked at Byerly's Bakery.

Just four days after college graduation in 1965, he married Jean Gatzemeyer whom he had dated for six years prior to their marriage.  The couple both taught in Rushville, NE, where he also was head basketball coach as well as summer baseball coach.  They then relocated to Gering, NE, where he taught social studies and English and was head basketball and track coach.  His girls' track team was a state track meet winner, as well as often the runner-up.  Many years of camping at Bismarck Lake led them to purchase their "Place" on Lower French Creek in Custer, South Dakota.  He also enjoyed his time as a Gering City Councilperson.

Upon retirement, Larry and Jean built a home in Custer and bought a tour business, the L & J Golden Circle Tours and M & N Vehicle Rentals.  During this time the business grew under Larry's direction.  He served as president of thje Custer Chamber of Commerce and the Senior Center.  When president of the chamber, he liked writing a weekly column "Chamber Chatter" for the Custer Chronicle.

Health problems forced him to sell the tour business.  He liked mowing his large lawn, his "animal children," and Husker sports....and later on, he loved going to church.

Larry and Jean found the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour in February of 2015.  They were soon baptized and then joined the Mountainview Baptist Church of Custer.  They loved their church family and Pastor Matthew Furse's sermons.  They were blessed, and upon Larry's passing, Jean knew that he was heaven-bound!

Larry passed away with his wife at his side on December 5, 2024 in Custer, SD.  He is survived by his wife, Jean, after 59 years of marriage, as well as his sister, Virginia Hagemeier and family (Rochester, NY), his in-laws Judy Gatzemeyer Marchant (of Yuma, AZ) and John Gatzemeyer (Chadron, NE) and several nieces and nephews.  Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Louie and Priscilla, and his brother, Craig Matthesen, and parents-in-law Hyle and Ruth Gatzemeyer.

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EDITOR'S NOTE:  Visitation was held 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Thursday, December 12, 2024, at Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Custer, SD.

Funeral Service was held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 13, 2024, at Mountainview Baptist Church in Custer, SD.