Bill Matzke

Bill George Matzke, 86, of Crookston, MN, died peacefully late Monday evening, March 12, 2012, at the RiverView Care Center in Crookston. Bill was born in St. Paul, MN on March 24, 1925. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1943, and served as a Pharmacist's Mate in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. On September 13, 1947, Bill was united in marriage to Doris Claire Amundson, in St. Paul. He received his degree in Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota in 1948. Bill and Doris moved to Crookston, where Bill was employed at the Stenshoel Funeral Home. From 1966, until he retired in 1990, he worked for the Polk County Highway Department. Bill was a devoted and involved member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. He also held memberships in Crookston's American Legion and VFW. Music was one of Bill's great passions, and he sang for countless numbers of weddings, anniversaries, and funerals. In the early '50's Bill was instrumental in bringing the Civic Music League Allied Concert Series to Crookston. He participated in the Men's Community Chorus, and the annual Oratorio. The Crookston Community Theater was also an important part of Bill's life, as he performed in many musicals and working tirelessly, both on and off stage. Bill had enjoyed entertaining the residents of the local nursing homes for over 30 years. In past years, he was strongly committed to the Boy Scouts of America and had been a longtime local scoutmaster. Bill leaves his wife of 64 years, Doris; a son, Steven Matzke of Crookston, MN; a daughter, Marjorie Baumrucker of Cottage Grove, MN; two grandsons, David Baumrucker of Missoula, MT and Michael Baumrucker of Cottage Grove; a sister, Mae Bangert of Cottage Grove; and many nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Agnes; two brothers, Willard (Betty) Matzke and Lloyd (Harriett) Matzke; a brother-in-law, The Rev. Jerome Bangert; and five sisters; infant sister Betty, Jane (Vernon) Hoffman, Ethel (Robert) Nelson, Pearl (George) Kelly, and June (The Rev. George) Krebs. The funeral service and celebration of Bill Matzke's life will be held on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Crookston, MN with The Rev. Bill Reck, officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the Crookston Veterans Council. Visitation will be held Monday, March 19, 2012, at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, and at the church for one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN. (www.stenshoelhouske.com)

Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Previous Events

Visitation
Monday, March 19, 2012
Service
Tuesday, March 20, 2012

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