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Joseph Matzke Obituary
Joseph R. Matzke, 58, New Franken, died unexpectedly Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. Joe was born Feb. 10, 1956, in Green Bay, to Robert B. and Germaine Matzke, and has been a lifelong area resident. He was a 1974 graduate of Preble High School and attended UWGB. Joe married the love of his life, the former Gail Mertens on Oct. 22, 1977, at St. Killian's Catholic Church, in New Franken. Joe was currently employed by On The Spot Delivery, and was formerly employed by Shopko for 35 years in various positions. Joe was an avid bowler, golfer, and Nascar fan. He enjoyed fishing, grilling out, and tending to his garden. Joe was a self proclaimed "Cribbage King"!! He loved spending time with his family, especially with his three grandsons.
Joe is survived by his loving wife, Gail; two sons and daughters-in-law, Brian J. and Stephanie Matzke, New Franken; Greg R. and Sonja Matzke, Florence; three grandsons, Blake, Griffin, and Zachary; his mother, Germaine Matzke, De Pere; one brother and sister-in-law, Tim and Debbie Matzke, Green Bay; one sister and two brothers-in-law, Mary and Jeff Eckert, Mishicot; Rick Miller, Texas; his father-in-law, and mother-in-law, Joe and Bernice Mertens, New Franken; his brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law, Tom and Carol Mertens, Oneida; Ken and Gwen Mertens, Spring Green; Dr. David and Pat Mertens, Marinette; Kris and Chet Wojcik, Green Bay; Joe T. and Sue Mertens, Wausau; and is further survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his grandparents, Joe was also preceded in death by his father, R. B. Matzke, and by his sister, Kathy Miller.
Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, at the PROKO-WALL FUNERAL HOME, 1630 E. MASON ST., with the Reverend David Plier officiating. Relatives and friends may call after 3 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home, until the time of service at 7 p.m. The Lambert-Eckert Funeral Home, of Mishicot, is assisting Joe's family with funeral arrangements. 920-755-2212 In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in his name.
"Our father cherished life so much, he chose to give the gift of helping others through registered organ donation."
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Matzke
Lonnie L. Peerenboom
February 24, 2023
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always. I have so many fond memories of Joe.
Steve Beno
August 10, 2014
Just found out about Joe at Preble 40th reunion. So sad. Bowled with him on Jr league at Golden Bowl. Long live "Kokomo Five".
Mistie Kostka-Sconzert
July 13, 2014
Dear Matzke family.....I just found out today about Joes Passing....I was deeply saddened by this sad news....I loved him dearly as a boss....at Shopko....Very sorry for your loss.
March 1, 2014
Gail and family,
I just heard today of Joe's passing. I worked with Joe at Shopko East for many years and have many great memories of Joe. One in particular, was the Brewer bus he had gotten together. What fun! He was a special person, as you already know. Prayers to you and your family.
Sue Kozicki
February 28, 2014
Dear Gail and family. I am so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed working for Joe at Shopko many years ago. I enjoyed looking for him to say "Hi" when I would go to the store after I quit. Jodi Marin
Cliff Taylor
February 27, 2014
Dear Gail and family I am sorry for your loss? I worked with Joe at Shopko and he was a great person. He will be missed.
Lori Johnson
February 27, 2014
I am deeply saddened to hear about Joe's passing. I knew him when I worked at ShopKo Corp. He was an awesome individual -the world could certainly use a few more guys like our "Joe" - RIP Joe - Thanks for everything!
February 27, 2014
Dear Gail: So very sorry to hear about your loss. You were such a good couple ready to have fun at the cottage. Neil &I are in Nashville and then like always on our way to Florida so we were unable to attend the services. We will pray that God gives you strength to get through this. Love, Rose Mary&Neil Burmeister
February 27, 2014
Dear Gail and family: My sincere sympathy to you for the loss of your husband and father. I spoke with him a few times at the recent Res reunion in August and he was quite friendly, interested in the group, and enjoyed the event. I'm sure he will be missed. John and Karen Loos
Gail McElrone-Barber
February 27, 2014
Gail and Family, so very sorry for your loss. Joe meant so much to so many. He will be missed by all. Thinking of you.
John & Ronda Liebmann
February 26, 2014
To the Matzke Family,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you during this very difficult time.
John & Ronda Liebmann
February 26, 2014
To the Matzke Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Fay and John Callahan
February 26, 2014
Gail and Family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. God Bless.
Tom and Barbie Allen
February 26, 2014
Gail, Brian, Greg and family,
We are so saddened to hear of Joe's passing. I know that this has to be so hard for all of you. Please hold on to the great memories and times we were all able to share because of Joe. He will be missed greatly. He will live on through your family and all these memories of happy times.
Love,
Tom Lynn
February 26, 2014
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Beth and Tom
February 26, 2014
Gail, Brian, Greg, and family,
We are sorry to hear of your loss. Joe was such a generous man, always making us feel like part of the family. We have great memories of our times with him, and pray that your memories will get you through this hard time. He will be greatly missed--especially as the only man brave enough to try a running headstand with no hands! We love you all and will be praying for you.
Love,
Tristan and Mandy Ziolkowski
Lonnie Peerenboom
February 26, 2014
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
Steve & Mary Giambruno
February 26, 2014
Gail and family, we are so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. Our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family. Steve & Mary Giambruno
Barb Glinski
February 26, 2014
My deepest sympathy to the Matzke family. I was sad to hear of his passing. I worked with Joe for many years & thought very highly of him. His advice to me was you don't want to be a manager. Thank you Joe.
Dawn (Margis) Schwartz
February 26, 2014
Gail & family, Joe was my manager at my first job as a cashier at Shopko. I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. He was a wonderful man and a joy to work for. My condolences...
Jessie Zunker
February 25, 2014
Dear Gail , Germaine and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Wonderful memories of Joe will live on forever.
Time heals, but slowly. God Bless
Lynn Spielman
February 25, 2014
I am so sorry to hear of Joes passing. I worked with him at SHopko and he was always there with a smile...my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Neil & Kathy Rechsteiner
February 25, 2014
Dear Gail and Family,
Neil & I want to extend Our Deepest Sympathy over the Loss of Joe. Neil has enjoyed a shared interest with Joe in NASCAR over the Years at the Pump Room. Please know You are in our Prayers and that God will give you strength during the days ahead.
Aaron "Tiny" Renquin
February 25, 2014
Joe and I worked together at Shopko for many years. He was a fantastic person to work for, and he always made his employees feel valued. The last time I spoke to him he gave me very sincere advice for my upcoming marriage that has served me well. I was very sad to hear of his passing and offer my prayers and condolences to his family.
February 25, 2014
Dear Gail,
I am soooo sorry for your loss! I remember talking to Joe at our reunion and he was smiling from ear to ear watching you have such a great time with all of us. He was so happy that you were enjoying yourself. Such a great memory for me, Anne Basten
Pat and John Vanden Boogaard
February 25, 2014
Dear Gail and Family,
So sorry for your loss of husband, father and grandfather! May you find strength and comfort in your deep faith and in loving memories.
May God hold you in the palm of his hand ...
Prayers and blessings,
February 25, 2014
Dear Gail,
I am truly sad to hear this news. My heart goes out to you and your family. Love & Prayers. Becky (Smits) Weber
Carol & Tom Mertens
February 25, 2014
Gail, Brian & Greg, Our hearts are saddend by Joe's passing & your loss of a wonderful husband, father & friend. Tom, the better half of us, is traveling now to be with you. But please know that I am also there with you in heart & spirit. Love, Carol & Tom
February 25, 2014
Dear Gail and family,
we are so so sorry to hear this sad news. There are no words.
God Bless, Tom and Maureen Merline
Steve & Harriet DeLair
February 25, 2014
Gail & family. We were so sad to hear about Joe. Steve & I have such great memories of Joe & all of you. Working with Joe at Shopko was always so much fun. He could always put a smile on my face. And the times we spent with you up north will never be forgotten. We will keep you in our prayers and Joe will always have a special place in our memories.
Jim Slamp
February 25, 2014
Gail, Greg and Brian
I was sadden to hear about Joe. I have great memories of Joe and the boys fishing in Canada!
Tim & Diane Metzler
February 24, 2014
Gail our hearts are saddened to hear of your loss.Joe will be missed bY all the lives he touched.
Jenny McGinley(Zellner)
February 24, 2014
Dear Matzke family,
I'm so sorry that you have lost Joe. All my prayers are with you.
Jodi Etienne
February 24, 2014
Gail and Family - My thoughts and prayers go out to you at this time. I worked with Joe for many years at ShopKo and have great memories of him.
Cherie and Joe Strand
February 24, 2014
Gail and family, We were so sad to hear of Joe's passing. I worked for many years with him at East. He made the days fun. Joe fixed his cars for years and lately they ran into each other at their favorite stores. He will be missed!
Sue and Jim Brandtjen
February 24, 2014
Gail, Greg, and Brian,
We were so sorry to hear about Joe. Our prayers and thoughts are with your family.
Sandy Hackbarth
February 24, 2014
Gail and family, so sorry to hear about Joe. I worked with him for many years at Shopko, he was a great person. Thoughts and prayers are with you..
Clark and Meg Steinhardt
February 24, 2014
Gail, Germaine and Family,
Rick just called us with the profoundly sad news of Joe's passing. Our hearts ache for all of you.
What a dear and good man!
Bless you,
Pam Girtz
February 24, 2014
Gail and family. I was so sad to hear of Joe's unexpected passing. Hadn't seen him in quite a few years but have wonderful memories of working with him at the East side Shopko store. He held that office there together keeping us women in line! And both of you coming to my parent's cottage and taking Barb's son and my son out fishing in practice for his own kids. Words are hard to fine to console but I don't have to tell you and the boys what a great guy he was!. Our thoughts are with all of you.
Pam (Watermolen) Girtz
February 24, 2014
Gail,
I'm so sorry to hear of Joe's passing.
He was always such a nice person & fun to party with (years & years ago). I remember he coached our softball team...poor guy, nobody else would accept the challenge.
May God give you the strength & His love to get through these difficult times ahead.
Sherry (Wiese) Towne
Margie and Randy Marcelle
February 24, 2014
Gail and Family, WE are so sorry to hear about Joe.Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this very sad time..
Larry Wiltgen
February 24, 2014
Gail, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Al & Karen Brice
February 24, 2014
Gail and family. We are so sorry to hear about the transition that Joe has made. May it help to know that friends are sharing the sorrow in your heart. Joe will be sadly missed by us. We have so many fond memories of him, and he was very instrumental in our personal growth. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you adjust to not having Joe here physically. He will live on forever in our hearts.
February 24, 2014
Gail and Family, Our deepest sympathy, we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. We will treasure the great memories with Joe at Shopko.
Dawn Konop
February 24, 2014
Gail,
I can only begin to imagine the angish and pain. I'm so very sad for you.
I recall the excitment and thrill you felt when you two began dating so many years ago...
Liz Somers
Jil Conklin
February 24, 2014
Gail and family,
I am so sorry and if there is anything that I can do just let me know!!!
Jo Ann Turensky
February 24, 2014
Gail and Family -
My deepest sympathies to all of you. I worked with Joe for many years at ShopKo and have great memories of him.
My thoughts and prayers with be with all of you as you go thru this difficult time.
Remember that when someone you love becomes a memory - that memory becomes a treasure. May you always have that treasure in your hearts.
Larry Chaplin
February 24, 2014
Gail, Brian, Greg and family,
Su and I send our sympathy. I am having a tough time accepting the reality of it. Canada fishing trips, camping at Yogi Bear park, having our cottages together, Jimmy Buffet and Halloween parties, Vegas, raising our kids together, tons of great memories. Joe will always be with you and us. He is what everyone hopes to have as I best friend and I was that fortunate. Our thoughts and prayers are with now.
Barb and Bubsy Geurts
February 24, 2014
Gail and family, We are so shocked and sad to hear about Joe. He was one of the best! I have so many wonderful memories of fun and laughter with Joe and it breaks my heart to hear this. He will truly be missed. We are in Florida until April but we want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers! God bless all of you and give you strength in this most difficult time!
February 24, 2014
Gail and family, You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time. So sorry for your loss
Carla & Bob Peot
jane cornell
February 24, 2014
My deepest sympathy to your family.I worked with Joe for many yrs.He was a swell guy. He will surely be missed by all who knew him.
Lynsy Erickson
February 23, 2014
Gail, Brian, Steph, Blake, and Zach,
I am so sorry for the loss of Joe!!! I have been thinking of you all since I got the news. What a nice guy!!! And how lucky you are to have him as your husband, father, and grandpa! Sending lots of love from Moline!!! xo
February 23, 2014
Gail and family,
Sending my deepest sympathy to you all. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Tina Helm
Chuck Burkel
February 23, 2014
Gail, Brian, Greg and family,
I am truly sorry for loss.. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.. With heartfelt sympathy..
Chuck Burkel
Mike & Trina Maney
February 23, 2014
Gail, Brian and Greg, we are so so sorry for your loss. Joe was special to everyone who knew him. We are praying for all of you, you are in our thoughts.
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