Betty Mattas (1932-2020)
Betty Mattas, age 87 of Wilson, passed away Friday, Feb. 21, 2020, in Tipton, Kan. surrounded by her loved ones. Betty was born to Henry J. Kepka and Charlotte (Lilak) Kepka Dec. 17, 1932, in rural Dorrance, Kan. She had five siblings; Raymond, Harold, Leonard, Alice, and Adeline.
Betty grew up in Dorrance where she attended Dorrance High School and graduated with the Class of 1950. Following high school, she went on to attend Marymount College in Salina for two years. She then returned to rural Dorrance where she met Emil F. Mattas. They were united in marriage April 3, 1956, in Wilson, Kan. Betty and Emil moved to a family farm east of Wilson where they raised their four children: Kathleen, Teresa, Francis, and Rosemary. Due to scarlet fever at age 5, Betty was deaf for a lot of her life and she became a talented, self-taught, lip reader. She enjoyed polka dancing, crocheting, the farm, and being outside. She loved her farm animals, especially the dogs. Betty was an extremely hard worker, never known to complain; she was humble and will be remembered for her contagious chuckle and smile that never faded. A devout Catholic, she was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Church Altar Society. Her church family will remember her usual place in the front right, and although now empty, her memory will be cherished.
A hardworking woman of faith, hope, and love, Betty showed us all by her life that the greatest of these is love. Although she will be greatly missed, she will live forever in the hearts of those who knew her best, for they were greatly loved.
Betty is survived by her children, Kathleen (Wendell) Willis of Lenexa, Kan., Teresa (Tom) Gasper, of Tipton, Kan. and Francis (Stephanie) Mattas of Greenville, S.C.; brother, Raymond (Arnelda) Kepka of Dorrance, Kan.; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Charlotte Kepka; daughter, Rosemary Dlabal; and siblings, Harold and Leonard Kepka, Alice Gerritzen, and Adeline Bechard.
Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24 at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Wilson and 5-8 p.m. at the church with a Vigil Service and Rosary at 7 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Burial will follow at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church or the Wilson Senior Center and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, PO BOX 533, Wilson, Kan., 67490.
Online condolences can be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com.