Robert J. Matuska

Robert J. “Bob” Matuska, age 86, passed away due to natural causes on Tuesday, February 25th, 2025, at Cherrywood Advanced Living in St. Cloud.

 Funeral Mass 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 3, 2025, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mankato. Visitation will be from 4 – 6 p.m., Sunday at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour before service at the church on Monday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Mankato.

 In lieu of flowers, consideration to MSU-Mankato Newman Center or St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato would be appreciated.

 Born on October 18, 1938, to Robert L. and Elizabeth Matuska in Spencer, IA. He grew up in Jackson, MN, and was married to Yvonne “Karren” Dorrian on August 8th, 1959, in Minneapolis, MN. 

 Bob was a proud graduate of Jackson High School and received a B.S. in Math and a M.S in Guidance Counseling from MSU-Mankato. He was a teacher at Cleveland Public Schools and Richfield Jr High School before becoming Director of Financial Aid at MSU-Mankato in 1965, a position he held until 1987. Bob continued to work in the student financial aid sector until his retirement in 1998. 

 Bob especially enjoyed coaching all three of his children in sports and watching them throughout their high school and college careers. He and Karren were significant contributors of MSU-Mankato Athletics. A regular football and basketball games attendee, MSU inducted Bob into their Hall of Fame in 2019, for his contributions and efforts while Financial Aid Director. 

 In retirement Karren and Bob spent many winters at their second home in Surprise, Arizona. They enjoyed traveling together, taking numerous cruise vacations and spending time at Canterbury Park. Bob enjoyed playing golf with family and friends, attending daily mass, watching sports, and was a member of the Heron Lake Duck Gun Club, and an original member of the Mankato “Le Goose” golf group.

 In addition to his faith, family was of great importance to Bob and time spent with them, at home, on vacation, at one of the grandchildren’s events, or watching his great-grandchildren was something that he cherished.

 Bob is survived by his children, Robert B. (Lisa) Matuska, Catherine A. (Dr. Bob Stocker) Matuska, and Michael J. (Cindy) Matuska; grandchildren, Megan (Brent) Baxter, Robert Jay (Jackie) Matuska, Elizabeth Stocker, Robert (Raelin) Stocker, Erin (Mitchel) Niehaus, Brooke (Matt) Maciaszek, Blake (fiancé, Sarah Wahlin) Matuska, Braxton Matuska, and Brayton Matuska; great-grandchildren, Charlie and George Baxter, Milee and Eden Stocker, and Elsie and Isla Niehaus; brother, David (Mona) Matuska; and sisters, Marilyn (friend, Michael Macek) and Theresa (Paul Allen) Hanson. Bob was preceeded in death by his parents, Robert and Elizabeth Matuska and wife, Karren.

 The family would like to thank the care providers at New Perspective Senior Living, Cherrywood, and St. Croix Hospice for their wonderful care.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by

Mankato Area Funeral Homes.

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