Vivian Nadine Matteson

1934 - 2018

Vivian Nadine Matteson

Born: June 26, 1934; in Des Plaines, IL

Died: December 14, 2018; in Morris, IL

Vivian Nadine (Burklow) Matteson, 84, of Morris, peacefully passed away on Friday, December 14, 2018 at Regency Care of Morris.

Born June 26, 1934 in Des Plaines, Nadine was educated in Braceville and Gardner, graduating from Gardner-South Wilmington High School in 1952. She was married to Gerald "Gerry" Matteson for 62 years. Nadine and Gerry met at the Paramount Skating Arena in Morris, continuing to date until their engagement and then marriage at the First United Methodist Church in Morris on February 26, 1956.

Nadine was a consummate homemaker, gardener, quilter, furniture refinisher and packer of the best picnic basket. In 1981 she was awarded Best of Show in the Grundy County Farm Fair Pie Baking Contest. When the apples, peaches, cherries and vegetables from the family farm became ripe, Nadine would be busy in the kitchen freezing, canning and baking. Nadine was an animal lover and took special care of the various family pets; horses, pigs, ducks, dogs, cats and at one point, a skunk.

Although Nadine was an only child, she enjoyed her large family and had a closeness to her grandchildren, reading and playing with them, and preparing special celebrations, including family trips to Wyoming, Georgia and Mexico. Anyone was welcome on Nadine's summer road trips to watch the Cubs "play ball" at Wrigley Field.

Nadine was a voracious reader, her favorite series being All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot. For a time, she was a volunteer reading tutor with elementary students in the Morris School District #54.

Nadine regularly carved turkeys for the Methodist Church's annual Thanksgiving Dinner fundraiser and participated in the Martha Circle, where she and other United Methodist Women focused on special mission interests, prayer, study and spiritual growth.

Nadine is survived by her sons, Mike Matteson and Steve (Holly) Matteson; daughters, Sarah (Randall) Edwards and Jean Matteson; beloved grandchildren, Emily (Andrew) Freeman, Marie Matteson, Mathew Schlehuber, Katie Edwards, Neal Edwards; and great granddaughter, Sylvia Freeman.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Matteson; and mother, Thelma Burklow.

Visitation will be held Friday, December 21, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 118 W. Jackson St., Morris. The funeral will take place immediately following the visitation at 1:00 p.m. Following the funeral service, the family will receive friends and family in Fellowship Hall for refreshments. After refreshments, internment will take place at Aux Sable Cemetery, Brown Road, Minooka.

Preferred Memorials can be made in Nadine's name to the First United Methodist Church of Morris.

Nadine's family wishes to acknowledge and thank Regency Care and Joliet Hospice for the many years of compassion and care given to Nadine.

Arrangements have been entrusted with U.C. Davis-Callahan Funeral Home. For further information, visit the U.C. Davis-Callahan Funeral Home website at www.ucdaviscallahan.com or contact the funeral home at 815-942-0084. Online condolences may be made by visiting the website.