Lillian F. Matthias

Lillian F. Matthias, age 79 of Mishicot, passed away peacefully Friday morning, March 4, 2022 at Laurel Grove Assisted Living of Manitowoc, with family at her side.

Lillian was born in Manitowoc on June 11, 1942 to LeRoy and Anita (Goetz) Reif. She attended the Jambo Creek Grade School and graduated with the class of 1960 from Mishicot High School. On July 28, 1962, she married Dean J. Matthias at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Manitowoc. The couple owned & operated a dairy farm for many years; they enjoyed taking many day trips together; and enjoyed playing cards, especially sheepshead on weekends with friends and family. Dean preceded her in death October 15, 2013. As a long-time member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, Lillian also volunteered much of her time working the school lunches at Holy Cross Catholic School in Mishicot. She enjoyed gardening, cooking for her family, and treasured the time spent with family. Lillian always stressed to her children the importance of living a natural, healthy life-style.

She is survived by her ten children: Lori (Bill) Rexses of Francis Creek, Michael Matthias of Kellnersville, Kim (Michael) Weber of Mishicot, Donna (Joe) Cornils of Two Rivers, Kelly (Jon) Miller of Manitowoc, Mary (John) "Buddy" Finnel of Mishicot, Tracy Matthias of DePere, Jennifer (Shad) Winget of Francis Creek, Sara (Robert) Grossheim of Maribel, and Patrick (Kari) Matthias of Two Rivers; thirty-two grandchildren; and eighteen great-grandchildren, with another expected in June. She is further survived by her brothers & sisters: Joann Shillcox, Ruthann (Gary) Kobes, Mike Reif, and Bill (Lisa) Reif, all of Mishicot; Jean (Steve) Wacek of Brillion, Doris (Brian) Johnson of Denmark, Rita (Buddy) Hoffman of Francis Creek, LeRoy (Sue) Reif, Jr. of Darboy, Tom (Sue) Reif of Manitowoc, John (Melody) Reif of Mountain, and Theresa (Paul) Lambrecht of Virginia; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, LeRoy and Anita Reif; her husband, Dean Matthias; one daughter, Jody Van Horn; a great-granddaughter, Delaney Weber; and one brother, Robert Reif.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2022 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Mishicot. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be Rev. Christian Raj, with entombment to follow in Knollwood Chapel Mausoleum, Hwy. 310, Manitowoc.

The family will greet relatives and friends at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. There will be no Thursday evening visitation.

The funeral service will be live-streamed on the St Anne and Holy Cross Catholic Parishes You Tube channel, with live streaming beginning at 12:45 p.m.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dejamartin.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to The Crossing of Manitowoc County.

Lambert-Eckert Funeral Home of Mishicot is assisting the Matthias family with funeral arrangements.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Laurel Grove Assisted Living and the caregivers of Holy Family Memorial Hospice for the compassionate care and kindness extended to our dear mother. Special thanks also to Sharon, Morgan, and Nancy of "Almost Family Caregivers" for the wonderful care you provided.