E. E. Matzen of Kennard Dies at 67, Pastor Calls Farmer a War Fatality; Wife, 12 Children Survive

Emil E. Matzen, 67, well-known farmer of the Kennard vicinity and the father of 12 surviving children, died Sunday evening at the Methodist hospital, and his pastor, the Rev. P. C. Jensen said this week that Mr. Matzen could be considered a war fatality inasmuch as he literally worked himself to death trying to take care of his farm alone after three of his sons had been drafted into the army.

"During the last year," the Rev. Mr. Jensen said, "the elderly man, who had never known any illness in his life before, persisted in doing his farm work, as his three unmarried sons, George, Anton and Clarence, who formerly assisted in operating their farm, had joined the army or were drafted. Thus all the work was left for the old folks and young sisters. Even during wet and cold weather both Mr. and Mrs. Matzen would be out in the field picking corn or whatever work there was to be done. This evidently aggravated his illness and now we may consider him a war fatality as much as many in the armed service."

To Kennard as a Boy

Born February 27, 1876, in Germany, he was confirmed there in the Lutheran church, and came to America and the Kennard vicinity with his parents when 14 years old.

Mr. Matzen and Olevea Christ of Blair were married April 26, 1905, and have since resided on their present farm. Mr. and Mrs. Matzen had 16 children, four of whom preceded the father in death--Victor, when 5 months old, Ernest, as an infant, Louisa, when 3 years old, and a son, August, 18, who died two years ago.

Surviving Mr. Matzen are his wife; six sons, George, Anton and Clarence Matzen, all in the army, Otto, Herman and Rudolph Matzen; six daughters, Mrs. Jens Hansen (Emma) or Orum, Mrs. Raymond Wulf (Bertha) of Blair, Mrs. Marshall Christensen (Alice) of Blair, and Katherine, Clara May and Lucille Matzen, at home. Other survivors include a brother, August Matzen of near Kennard; and six grandchildren.

The body is at the Bendorf Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements had not been completed at noon today, awaiting word from Mr. Matzen's sons in the service.

#2-13 May, 1943 - The Enterprise

EMIL E. MATZEN DIED SUNDAY

Emil E. Matzen, well known farmer of the Kennard vicinity, passed away last Sunday evening at the Methodist Hospital in Omaha following an illness of approximately four months.

Deceased was born in Germany February 27, 1876, and came to this country when fourteen years of age. He was married on April 26, 1905 to Miss Olevea Christ, and they at once started farming on the same farm where they now live.

To Mr. and Mrs Matzen sixteen children were born, twelve of whom are living. Three sons, Antone, George and Clarence are serving in the armed forces of their country; Catherine, Clara May and Lucille are at home; Mrs. Jens Hansen resides at Orum; Otto and Rudolph and Mrs. Raymond Wulf and Mrs. Marshall Christensen reside in Blair. These, with the widow, will feel their great loss in the death of the husband and father, and hosts of neighbors and friends will miss him greatly.

Funeral services will be held from the home on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. P. C. Jensen officiating, and interment will be made in the Kennard cemetery.

Note: Find A Grave # 26420055; Buried in Blk 1 Lot 41 Space 2 in the Kennard Cemetery.