Joseph Paul Mathews

JOSEPH PAUL MATHEWS, known to all as Paul, age 97 of Waseca, died on the evening of December 31, 2025 at Benedictine Living Community on Owatonna.

Paul was born in Waldorf on March 15, 1928, to parents George and Isabelle (McMahon) Mathews. He attended school in Waldorf and graduated from Waldorf High School before serving his country in the United States Army in 1946 and 1947. Upon his honorable discharge, Paul utilized the G.I. Bill to continue his education at the Minnesota Teacher’s College in Mankato, where he studied physical education and industrial arts. He taught for a time in Montgomery, MN, at RTR High School in Tyler, MN, for the Department of Defense in Tokyo, Japan, and finally in Frankfurt, Germany, before returning home to work on the family farm. He continued to serve his community by volunteering as a football referee for many years, and he was invited to ref the first “Prep Bowl” at Minnesota’s Metro Dome. He was a devoted caretaker for anyone in his life that might be in need of a helping hand, and his family is so grateful for the care and attention he offered. In the 1960’s Paul took up flying and earned his private pilot’s license under the direction of Harry Hawk in Wells, MN. He enjoyed his involvement with the Waseca Flying Club of which he was president for many years. On July 28, 1989, Paul ended his bachelor years when he married Ruthie Hodgkins in Waldorf. Together, they enjoyed traveling and their involvement with one another’s families until Ruthie’s passing in 2018. Paul was a long-time member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waldorf.

Paul is survived by siblings, Dick and Janet Mathews; many nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by both of his parents; his wife; two  brothers, Vince and John Mathews; two sisters, Phyllis Peterson and Rita Suek; and one nephew, Mitchell Mathews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waldorf, with Father Robert Schneider officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Waseca County.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to St. Joseph Catholic Church.