Vern Earl Matter

Vern Earl Matter, devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed from this world, surrounded by his family at home, on January 8th, 2016 in Wausau, WI. He surprised his Doctors, but not his family or friends, with the strength he showed in fighting his cancer. Vern was born in the family farmhouse outside of Cavour, South Dakota on July 12th, 1941 to Earl and Velma Matter. He had two siblings, Janet (Winkleman) and Carl, as well as a third, Carl's twin sister Carol, who died shortly after birth. Being the quintessential "farm boy", his hard work in the fields began by driving tractor at the age of 7, in order to help out during his father's illness. This work ethic would stick with him the rest of his life. It helped him earn his Bachelor and Master's Degrees in Agricultural Engineering at South Dakota State University. Vern married his best friend Don Maguire's little sister, Constance Maguire, on December 26th, 1963. She remained the love of his life throughout their 52 years of marriage. After graduate school, in 1967, Vern and Connie moved to Horicon, WI with sons Greg and Mike in tow. This was the start of Vern's first career as a Design Engineer at John Deere Horicon Works. They soon welcomed another son, Mark Earl and the boys' "baby sister" Michele, to the family. During his 26 years at John Deere, Vern earned the friendship and respect of many of his co-workers. The work ethic he learned as a boy persisted and showed through. He was even awarded a patent for a safety device on hydrostatic tractors. However, he especially enjoyed the everyday interactions with his co-workers. Vern retired from John Deere in 1993 and went to work for Jacobson-Textron as a Quality Engineer. With this career move, he and Connie moved to Franklin, WI. In 2001, Vern took a new job, again as a Quality Engineer, at Buell Motorcycle Company. He truly enjoyed his work here because it allowed him the opportunity to spend a lot of his time "on the line". This meant he could use his "tinkering" skills and spend time interacting with people, two of his favorite activities. In 2007 he decided it was time to retire and pursue his true passion - spending time with and being there for his family. Above all else, Vern's love was his family and his faith. He showed this every day with his actions. His "hobbies" were working in the yard with his wife, helping one of his children or grandchildren move (he was the "Master Packer"), bringing a smile with a corny joke, helping out a neighbor, supporting a family member in time of need and anything else that involved helping someone other than himself. He was always attentive and there for his ever-growing family. His devotion to service also included 20 years as a volunteer for Hospice Alliance in Kenosha. To quote his son Mike, "Dad has lived a godly life of service to his family and anyone else who needed him. His reward is waiting for him." Vern was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, John and Ethelyn Maguire, Don Maguire and his beloved grandson Bryant. He is survived and deeply missed by his wife Connie and large family: brother and sister-in-law Carl and Linda Matter; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Michael and Bev Maguire; brother-in-law Larry Winkleman and wife Jean; children Greg and Dana Matter, Mike and Amy Matter, Mark and Jeanne Matter and Steven and Michele Jome; grandchildren Melissa, Jessica, Sabrina, Anna, Jack, Jordan and wife Jen, Kelsey, O'Shay, Taleasea, Nolan, Raelyn and Caleb; great grandchildren Jayce, Trey, Kayden, Cael, Quentin and Cody; and, nieces and nephews Amy, Matt , Connie, Valerie, Brent, Dale, Douglas and Melissa. Special thanks to Dr. Hamied Rezazadeh and the staff at Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. A gathering of remembrance will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in the town of Easton, 10723 E County Rd Z, Wausau at 11:00 am Saturday, January 16th, with a service to follow at Noon. Rev. Raymond Connor will officiate. Online condolences can be left at www.petersonkraemer.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. John's Lutheran School Wausau.