Obit: Mattes, Philip O. (1941 – 2015)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Mattes, Kuester, Wuethrich, Schleicher, Winger, Price, Flashinski, Stump, Stensgard, Benzschawel, Bauer, Kinkaid

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Wis.) 14 Jan 2015

Mattes, Philip O. (7 NOV 1941 – 8 JAN 2015)

Philip O. "Fibber" Mattes, 73, Thorp, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015, at Our Lady of Victory Hospital in Stanley. A visitation will be held from 9:30-11:30 a.m., on Saturday, Jan. 17, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Thorp. A memorial service will follow with Rev. Paul Bittner officiating. A burial will take place in Sylvan Cemetery, in the township of Reseburg, at a later date. Wear your cowboy boots.

Philip Orlin Mattes was born on Nov. 7, 1941, in the town of Reseburg, rural Thorp, to Philip C. and Elmira M. (nee Kuester) Mattes. He graduated from Thorp High School in 1960 and then attended UW-Whitewater. He married Diane J. Wuethrich on Aug. 6, 1966, in Greenwood. Fibber farmed in the town of Reseburg, and later bought Mattes Livestock. He enjoyed going to cattle auctions, playing cards, the beaches of Mexico, and telling stories about his business ventures. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and the Wisconsin Livestock Dealers' Association. Fibber was an organ donor, allowing more people in need to live.

He is survived by his wife, Diane, Thorp; his daughter, Laura (Thomas) Schleicher, Oconomowoc; a sister, Jean (Dr. Daniel) Winger, Surprise, Ariz.; a niece, Michele(Richard) Price, Stanley, and their children, Victoria (Jeff) Flashinski and their son, Bradley, Thorp, Alexandra Price, Eagan, Minn., and Nathan Price and his daughter, Azylia, Stanley; and a nephew, Paul Winger, Chippewa Falls. His family also included Dallas (Lois) Wuethrich and their children, Tayt (Jennifer) Wuethrich and Trevor(Tonia) Wuethrich, all of Greenwood; Dawn (Keith) Stump of Maricopa, Ariz., and their children, Jay (Lona) Stump, Greenwood, Jill Stump, DePere, and Janet (Daniel) Stensgard, Maricopa, Ariz.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Philip Jon Frederick Mattes; two brothers, Donald and Marlyn Mattes; and his favorite beagle, Bentley. We would like to thank Dr. Kinkaid of the Mayo Clinic; his faithful right-hand men, Pat Benzschawel, Zack Bauer, and Pat Bauer; and the Thorp EMTs for their heroic response.

Memorials may be directed to the Philip Mattes Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be expressed
at www.cuddiefh.com.  Thorp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.