George A. Matros Sr.

George A. Matros Sr., 93 year old resident of Little Falls, MN, passed away Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, September 20 2019, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Belle Prairie, MN with Father Ben Kociemba officiating. Burial will take place at the Parish Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 8:30-10:30 A.M. on Friday at Holy Family Catholic Church in Belle Prairie. Military Rites will be conducted by the Little Falls American Legion Post #46 and the VFW Post #1112. George was born on January 30, 1926 in Swanville Township, MN, to the late Frank E. and Anna Emily (Jendro) Matros. He went to school through the 8th grade at District 52. After his mother died when he was 13, George worked at various jobs to include “walking the tracks” to the Dakotas to work on a threshing crew with a neighborhood friend. George entered the US Navy on May 4, 1944 and obtained the rank of Seaman First Class. During World War Two, he served at USNB Port Chicago, CA, NAS Oakland, CA, and onboard USS LST 127. He was honorably discharged on June 15, 1946. George was united in marriage to Helen Plafcan on January 29, 1948 at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Elmdale, MN. He then went to work for the Soo-Line Railroad in Minneapolis. In 1950, they moved to a farm near Camp Ripley, then in 1959, moved to the farm he has owned since then near Freedhem. While operating his farm, George also worked at Crestliner Boats for 8 years, then at various positions till moving up to become a supervisor at Larson Boats for 26 years. Upon retirement, he became the groundskeeper at Belle Prairie Park, and worked part-time at the Morrison County Landfill. George was a member of the Little Falls VFW, the Little Falls American Legion Post 46, the Knights of Columbus, and the Moose Lodge. He enjoyed working on his farm, deer hunting with his family, and ice fishing on Lake of the Woods with his family and good friend, Doug Dickmann. George is survived by sons, Donald Matros of Pierz, MN and George Matros, Jr. of Pelican Rapids, MN; daughters, Shirley Matros of Royalton, MN and Sharon Matros (Lt. Col. Andrew Engelhardt) of Little Falls, MN; grandchildren, Roger (Susan) Matros of St. Maarten, Caribbean Sea, Tim (Amy Jo) Matros of Little Falls, MN, Dr. Nicole Matros (Jeff Curran) of Columbia, SC, Kristi (Matt) Lindeman of Sauk Rapids, MN, Tracy Matros CFNP (John Jones) of Pierz, MN, Matt Matros (KaCee) of Sartell, MN, Nathan Matros of Little Falls, MN, Tyler Matros of Pelican Rapids, MN, Eric (Vanessa) Engelhardt of Chiang Mai Thailand, and Captain Adam (Captain Lauren Linscott) Engelhardt of Misawa AFB, Japan; former daughters-in-law, Becky Ruark of Dekalb, MO, and Darlene Matros of Little Falls, MN; sister, Leona Copeland of Baxter, MN; brothers, Norbert (Toby) Matros of Fifty Lakes, MN, and Frank Matros of Pine River, MN; brother-in-law, Buck Buchite, of Fifty Lakes, MN; former sister-in-law Rose Marie Matros, of Emily, MN; 18 great- grandchildren and 2 great great-grandchildren. George was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Matros; parents Frank and Anna (Jendro) Matros; son, Richard; stepmother, Philomena (Minnie) Matros; brothers, Joseph and Damus Matros; sister, Dorothy Buchite; sisters-in-law, Rozella Matros, Sara Belle Matros, and Lorraine Witt; stepbrothers, John Auer and Henry Rushmeyer; and also his special friend, Irene Dockendorf.

Tributes

George A. Matros Sr.

January 30, 1926 - September 17, 2019