Charles "Chuck" Mattke

Charles (Chuck) Edward Mattke passed away peacefully at his farm outside of Ogallah, KS, on Monday, November 18, 2024, with his loving wife of 46+ years, Lori Mattke, at his side.
Chuck was born to James (Jim) and Beverly Mattke on September 14, 1957, in England, while Jim was stationed there with the Air Force. While there were multiple stops in various places in the continental U.S., as well as on Guam, growing up, it was a move to WaKeeney, Kansas, his senior year of high school that set his life on a new course. There, he met the love of his life, Lori (Lipp) Mattke, and they were married on September 23, 1978.
Following graduation from Colby Community College, a short stint in law enforcement preceded what would become a professional career in trucking. You name a road, he drove it (and knew all the possible roads/towns connected to those roads from memory). After years of being an owner-operator driving for other companies, he started his own company, Chux Trux, which he operated in various capacities for 20+ years. In 2015, he started driving for Frontier Ag Cooperative in Northwest Kansas, which he did up until a few months prior to his death.
While trucking was his profession, investing was his passion; although maybe not in the way you might think.
He invested in a multi-generational farm. For over 100 years, the broader Mattke family has called a farm west of Ogallah home. When he married Lori, he became a part of another multi-generational farm family belonging to the Lipps in Collyer, KS. He made time for anything necessary across both operations, many times on short rest and long nights/weekends.
He invested in people. From helping strangers stranded alongside the road, to neighbors in a pinch, to co-workers/employees in a rough spot, to foster kids placed in their home, to his closest friends and family, he rarely turned down an opportunity to help those in need, never expecting anything in return. You always knew you could call him, and he would do his best to help or give whatever he had to pitch in.
Next only to the love he had for his wife was the love he had for his family. To say Chuck was an amazing father will likely never be enough. He invested the values of hard work, respect, love for animals and farming, and countless life lessons into his children. He coached his son through football and baseball, bought his daughter her first horse, and hauled them wherever her heart desired. His ability to drive a semi across the country, yet somehow still make it on time to every event his kids had growing up, was almost superhuman. He invested his passion for providing for others into them both and was incredibly proud to watch them live successful lives of service. His six grandchildren were his pride and joy, and being able to ride horses, attend sporting events, and show them a few days of hard work (and maybe a little fun) on the farm are no doubt some of his favorite memories.
He invested time and talents. Waiting this long to mention horses is the epitome of saving the best for last. Horses were intertwined in his life story from the time he was little to his last day outside just a few weeks ago. Many of his closest friendships, social engagements, and mentorship opportunities centered around horses and all the things you could do with them. In the early 2000s, he founded Hooves of Heaven, which opened doors for all kinds of service, therapy, and ministry opportunities with horses and the little piece of heaven he called home.
He had a number of great sayings, one of which we'll leave you with here as a reminder of how he'd like us all to think. When asked how he was doing, he'd say with a grin, "I'm always good!" Regardless of whether that were actually true at any given moment, it was the attitude and mindset he chose to live by every day, a cowboy through and through. Chuck wasn't complete without boots on his feet, a twinkle in his eye, and a little dirt on his hands. While our hearts are heavy, we ask that you always cherish the lessons he taught and find peace in the life he lived.
He is survived by his wife, Lori of Ogallah, KS; his son, Casey (Kambi) Mattke of Des Moines, IA, and their children, Lexi, Gavin, and Morgan; his daughter, Melia Washington of Kansas City, MO, and her children, Jaylen, BJ, and Carter; oldest brother, Scott (Georgiana) Mattke of Wichita; older sister, Kathy Simonsen of Wichita; youngest brother, Steve (Marjorie) Mattke of Augusta; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th St., WaKeeney, KS, on Friday, November 22, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A memorial service will take place at WaKeeney Church of God, 1300 Easter Ave., WaKeeney, KS, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Chuck's memory to Hooves of Heaven and sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th St., WaKeeney, KS 67672. To share memories and condolences, please visit www.schmittfuneral.com.
RECORDING OF MEMORIAL SERVICE