Mardale Mae Matthiesen

Mardale Mae Matthiesen (nee Lear)  went to be with the Lord on October 19, 2025.  She passed away peacefully at Reena Assisted Living in Fort Atkinson with family by her side.  Mardale was born May 1, 1931, in Oconto, WI. She was raised on a farm outside of Oconto, in Abrams, WI.  She graduated from Oconto High School in 1948.  She was the Queen of Jobs Daughters in 1947, for the Bethel # 39 chapter.

Mardale met and married the love of her life, Willis H. Matthiesen, in 1951. They shared a happy life together before Willie’s passing in 2014, at the age of 90.  They enjoyed 63 wonderful years together. She was the dear mother of  Bradley (Cindy) Matthiesen, of Menomonee Falls, Gary Steven Matthiesen (Pre-deceased), and Tanace (Gary Becker) Matthiesen of Madison; the loving Grandmother of Kelly, Lauren, Caitlin, Carly, Hannah, Haley, Katrina, Will, Naomi, and step granddaughter Chani Becker; 7 Great-Grandchildren and two Step-Grandchildren. She is further survived by sister-in-law Lois Matthiesen, and many other nieces, nephews and special friends. She was preceded in death  by her husband Willis, son Gary Matthiesen, sister Nona Buettner, brother Marvin Lear  and grandson Jonathan Becker.

After marriage, Mardale worked for the J. C. Penney distribution center in Milwaukee for 7 years. She next worked for Sales Force, a food brokerage company in Waukesha for 26 years, retiring in 1996.  She was an active member of Amvets Auxiliary Post #3 for many years.  She held various offices at the local, district and state level before serving as State President in 1976. Mardale and Willis lived 45 years in Milwaukee and moved to Fort Atkinson in 1996.

Mardale and Willie were lucky in love and in family. They both loved partying with their kids, grandkids and friends. There were many, many parties with neighbors, friends and family at their first home on 75th Street in Milwaukee, and also later at their home in Fort Atkinson. Mardale and Willie loved to dance.  Both were very good dancers. They regularly attended Lions’ and Elks’ Clubs’ Saturday night dances in the early years of marriage. They danced every chance they got. They also participated in every bowling event they could.  Mardale kept bowling in her league all the way up to 2023! She also enjoyed travelling, reading, shows at the Fireside, and going to lunch with friends, especially the Once a Month Bunch and friends at the Senior Center.   

Mardale enjoyed her independence. She lived in her house independently until this June.  Health issues accumulated and, at 94, she reluctantly moved to Reena Senior Living in Fort Atkinson.

A big thank you to the staff at Reena Assisted Living, Agrace Hospice and special friends Pat Belt, Marci Hansen, Teri Mchale and Pam Badura, for their care and support over the last several months.

Visitation for Mardale will be held Friday, October 24, 2025, from 10:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 314 Barrie St, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM at the church. She will be laid to rest at her beloved husband, Willie’s, side in Pinelawn Memorial Park of Wauwatosa.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church of Fort Atkinson or St. Judes' Children’s Hospital.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family.