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Sarah Matoon Obituary

Sarah Elizabeth "Betty" Wilcox Matoon, 86, of Great Falls, died of natural causes Wednesday, Nov. 14.



Funeral liturgy is 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church (formerly St. Luke's). Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.



Sarah was born on May 29, 1926 in Chinook. She was the seventh of eight children born to Arthur L. and Rose M. Wilcox. Her family included Cora (Musgrove), Herbert (Wilcox), Minerva (Nace), twins Ellsworth and Arthur Jr., Eunice Cramer, and Avis Jamieson. They all grew up in Chinook and graduated from Chinook High School. They married and raised their families in that area.



After graduating high school, she accepted a job as secretary to the manager of Utah-Idaho Sugar Company, which was the beginning of her long career in the field of administration. She worked for Burgess Insurance and Pearson's Texaco in Chinook during which there were interim trips to Connecticut during World War II to work and be with her paternal family.



She married Edward Matoon in 1948, in Chinook and celebrated 55 years of marriage. They loved to travel, vacationing in Europe, Canada and the United States. They moved to Great Falls in 1959 at which time Betty started her career with the United States Air Force. After 23 years she retired as Executive Assistant to the Commander of the 26th Air Division. She loved her job and said, "It was so interesting that I would have done it for nothing if I could have afforded it."



Betty was an active member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, formerly St. Luke's, where she served as lector and volunteered at Benefis Hospital for many years. Visiting patients, bringing comfort, prayer, and companionship to them and their families.



She is survived by her intended husband to be Colonel (Ret.) Jack Aasen; her best friends; sister Avis Jamieson; niece Duan Drugge; children Ginny Geehan (Pat); Richard Matoon(Mary); Ken Matoon (Debbie); grandchildren Hallie, Larkin (Tanya), Andy, Willow, Nadia, Sarah and Libbie; great-grandchildren Davona, Arielle, Aislin and Aaliyah; many wonderful nieces and nephews; and numerous dear friends.



She was preceded in death by her husband Edward; her parents; siblings Cora (Robert) Musgrove, Minerva (Ralph) Nace, Ellsworth (Neva) Wilcox, Arthur Wilcox, Eunice (Robert) Cramer and Don Jamieson.



Condolences for the family may be posted on www.schniderfuneralhome.com.

Published by Great Falls Tribune on Nov. 18, 2012.
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December 1, 2012

To the Children of Betty,Jennie, Rich and Ken - my utmost condolences in the death of your mom -- I worked with Betty in 24th NORAD Region -- I worked in the Canadian side of the house and I stood in for Betty when she was absent and she stood in for me. I absolutely loved my job there and in 1983 when the 24th Norad Region deactivated I was selected to go to the Transportation Sq as a management asst in Motor Pool. I was scared and hesitant and my last day on the job in Norad I was having a good cry at my desk and in walks Betty and, God Bless Her, she talked to me and helped me see the light (so to speak) and I went home with a smile - That was end of April 1983 - I had a birthday on May 21st and here comes Betty with a birthday cake on my new job and I felt loved by her. AND it was all OK - Well, I stayed there for 16 more years and grew to love it there and the people - made a promotion from what I was at the Canadian office and retired at 38 yrs plus a few months in 1999. Well, the Gulf War came and went and then came the Iraq war -- it was I think in 2008 I picked up at base newspaper in January and here in it were jobs in the transportation department of vehicle repair at a base called El Udeid AB, Doha, Quatar where the government was moving the vehicle repair shop for American vehicles in Iraq and an American firm got the contract for it and I called the gentleman up and submitted my app and I got the job but I wanted Ben, my husband, to come too and he could have gotten a job as a bus driver just on the base making the same pay but he didn't want to go -- I would have been 65 that yr and Ben was 67. I called up Betty to asked her advice and of course, she encouraged me to go. It was 12 hr days - 6 days a week - stay at the women's barracks - Ben would have had to stay at the men's barracks - bathroom facilities were outside in a building between the barracks - eat at the chow hall -- but I loved her for encouraging me to go. I thot a trip to the Holy Land would have been so nice on the way home and to see a part of our world that as senior citizens we will not be able to now.

I have so many of those delicious recipes Betty had -- that ice cream recipe with the bananas - she made that many times for the office do's -- the choc sheet cake - the filled angel food - the dutch apple cake. You must share these with your children.

Betty was an icon in the 24th Norad Region and people loved and respected her. I can remember one thing that occurred that made me more confident in my job and that was the General's Staff Mtg and taking the minutes - Betty was busy helping a young Captain (he's made general rank now) with a project which involved alot of dictation from him so she was unavailable to take the minutes of the weekly staff meeting for a period of time. and I was tasked to take the minutes and I was scared -- it was a good thing that in all of my professional career I had to use my shorthand so I kept up with my speed. Got so that I enjoyed going in to the staff meeting and taking the minutes and Betty told me that "they" liked my minutes. Wasn't she a peach!!

I now have a part-time job at a credit union and every May there is a customer appreciation dinner and she always came - I was the greeter - so I always made it a point to talk with her so in May of 2012 was the last time I saw her.

We will all miss her and my utmost condolences to you, her children.

Merdys J Petersen

November 25, 2012

Rich and family
Sorry to hear of your Mom passing...but you will all be together again where all is good. Lord's peace be with you til then.

Albert Gray

November 24, 2012

So sorry to hear of your mothers passing . I remember your folks well. Whenever they came to Chinook they would stop and visit my mother and father. So sorry Rich..... Tom Inman

Tom Inman

November 22, 2012

We were both saddened to hear the news and know that we won't be seeing Betty again until we meet in Heaven. We are both so glad however that we all got together for the Matoon Reunion and had our visits with all the family especially Aunt Betty! She will be missed but not forgotten. Love to you Ginny, Kenny and Rich. Blessings, Maryann and Steve

November 20, 2012

We were so sorry to hear this news. I feel like I know Betty, quite well, through Jack. She was very dear to him and her loss is felt far and wide. Know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Heidi and Ken Schulz, family and Hink Sahs

November 20, 2012

Ginny,
I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. She always made all us "girls" feel welcome and special whenever we were at your house. I have wonderful memories of both your Mom & Dad. Our prayers are with all of you.

Randy & Marte Sorkness

November 19, 2012

Betty's Family: Please accept our condolences as you suffer the loss of this lovely lady. A wonderful person you can be proud of who left a beautiful legacy for each of you to follow. Know that the Holy Spirit is always there to bestow grace, strength and a calming spirit. We are remembering you in prayer.
Calvary Chapel of Great Falls
Proverbs 31:10-31

November 19, 2012

Ginny: Sorry to read in the tribune about your mother passing. She lead a long and happy life and even tho she will be missed you will always have your memories.

Lou Sciuchetti

November 19, 2012

To the Matoon Family,
So deeply sorry to hear of Betty's passing. We will miss a wonderful lady and excellent friend. Our sympathy to each of you.
John & Bonnie Sturgeon

John Sturgeon

November 19, 2012

Our sympathy goes out to Betty's family. Betty was a good friend. We enjoyed many Sunday breakfast with Betty, and also ejoyed having her in Yuma one winter. We will miss her. Larry & Mary Ann Seitz Yuma, AZ

November 19, 2012

Ginny, Rich and Kenny,
I am so sorry to hear about Betty, she was the true definition of a lady. Mom and her were such great friends. She had a way about her to make you feel better no mater what was ailing you. I shall miss her sense of humor and so many other things.

Laurie Mattheisen

November 19, 2012

So sorry to hear about Betty. She was a good friend to so many. Her smile and willingness to share a story or two made her like family. I always enjoyed seeing her on my visits. Betty was such a great comfort to us when Dad died...and for that we are eternally grateful.She will be missed!

Julie & Gregg Lynde (Keith)

November 19, 2012

We are so glad we were able to say goodbye to Betty. There will be an empty spot in my life from now on -- as we were friends from the age of five.

Allie (and Cecil) Uyehara

November 19, 2012

Rich and Mary Lou, don't cry because she is gone, Smile because she lived! Love Don and Terri.

The Ryans

November 19, 2012

I was so lucky to have her in my life - she treated me like one of her own and I loved her so much. I'm really going to miss her.

Colleen Matoon

November 18, 2012

So sorry to read about Betty's passing. She was a wonderful person. Sending my sympathy and love to all her family.

Nancy Lierow

November 18, 2012

Very sorry to hear of your loss Rich.

Bill Wilson

November 18, 2012

Rich,
So sad to hear of your loss. I pray you will be blessed with peace and comfort.
Jeanie Albrecht Mullins

November 18, 2012

Aunt Betty was a wonderful woman and a favorite aunt. She always made you feel welcome and accepted in her home. We had many visits with her and Uncle Eddy and always looked forward to going. One of my most memorable visits was in the early 2000's when I was still with the Fremont County Sheriff's office and I went to Great Falls for training. I got to spend a couple of evenings with them and heard great stories and memories. The last time I got to see her was in June 2011 at Amanda's wedding in Conrad. I only wish my children got to meet her as they were on her "bucket list". We will miss her love and warmth very much. Love you Aunt Betty, Victor and Kathy Matoon

Victor Matoon

November 18, 2012

Richard
All the best to you and your family. Betty was an awesome lady and her ability to accept all of us for who we are was remarkable.
Bill B

November 18, 2012

Rich, my condolences to you and your siblings and kids upon the passing of your dear mother. I always enjoyed our visits.
my thoughts are with you Rich.
Tom Boland

Tom Boland

November 18, 2012

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