Valarie "Val" M. Matushak

Valarie "Val" M. Matushak

September 9, 1930 – October 28, 2026

Valerie "Val" M. Matushak, 96, Wausau, passed away peacefully at her home at Mountain Terrace Senior Living on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, while under the care of Interim Hospice.

Val was born September 9, 1930, in Bruno, Saskatchewan, Canada, the daughter of Walter and Justina (Sass) Schmirler. She spent her earliest years on the family farm in a two-room cottage she shared with her parents and three brothers. When she was eight, the family left Canada and settled in the Wausau area, which would be home for the rest of her life, and where her sister, Sheila, was born.

Val met Felix Matushak while they were both working at DJ Murray Manufacturing. Felix fell hard for the accounting gal in the front office right away, asked her on a date, and on June 14, 1952, they were married in Milwaukee. Together they raised six children and shared 39 years of marriage until Felix's death on August 19, 1991.

Val worked hard all her life. Aside from her accounting work at DJ Murray Manufacturing, she was also a saleswoman for a furniture store, and worked in accounts payable at a few other companies in town. She and Felix also owned and operated Felix and Val's VFW Bar in Wausau. She later retired from the former Wausau Hospital after a 20-year career in food service.

At home she was just as busy. Despite their family’s desire for Val and Felix to live nearby in town, it was important to Val that her family have wide open spaces to roam and play. Val and Felix purchased a one-acre property outside of Wausau and it was her passion to make it a home. She created a huge vegetable garden and taught her children how to care for both the land and their home. She canned, she baked, she sewed, and she repurposed everything from clothing to home items so that they were able to stay out in the country.

While Val started out as a Lutheran, she converted to Catholicism so her family was unified in its faith. Val and Felix were founding members of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Wausau, where their children attended parochial school. Val also belonged to the Catholic Women's Club, the Health and Healing Prayer Group, the funeral luncheon committee, the funeral choir, and the St. Jude Circle.

Resilience ran through every part of Val's life. From a two-room cottage in Saskatchewan to an acreage in Wausau, Val had unlimited determination to achieve her dreams no matter the obstacles. She instilled that same passion in her children. After losing Felix when she was 60, she carried on for another 35 years with her faith, her friendships and her family at the center of it all.

Survivors include her children, Jim Matushak, Marenisco, Michigan; Ken (Karen) Matushak, Wausau; Dianne (Keith) Johnson, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Mike (Jeannine) Matushak, Merrill; Cindy (John) Rasmussen, Mahtomedi, Minnesota; and Roger (Carol) Matushak, Rothschild; her 15 grandchildren, Jason Matushak; Andrea Knowlton (Chad); Jesse Matushak, Benjamin Johnson (Hannah); Kyle Matushak (Sarah); Becky Philipsek (Jeff); Lydia Mann (Jason); Andrew Rasmussen (Jacque); Tony Matushak (Rachel); Lance Johnson (Molly); Laura Linbro (Tobias); Josh Matushak; Philip Johnson; Michaela Lee (Steven); and Marissa Matushak, 33 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Felix; her brothers, Roman Schmirler, Clarence Schmirler and Norbert Schmirler; her sister, Sheila Burns; and her daughter-in-law Laurie Matushak.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau. The Rev. Sebastian Kolodziejczyk will preside. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service, all at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorials be made to St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau.

Val lived in her beloved home for 71 years and leaving it to live at the Garden Apartments and then Mountain Terrace Senior Living for her health and safety was one of the hardest things she ever had to do. We extend our sincere appreciation to the staff of the Garden Apartments, Mountain Terrace Senior Living, and Interim Hospice for the loving care and support they provided to our mother. We are also grateful for the friendships she enjoyed with the residents of Mountain Terrace, whose kindness and companionship made her feel truly at home.