Frank A. Mathewson

Frank A. Mathewson, 98, Seneca, KS, died Sunday, October 12, 2003, at Country View Estates Care Home in Seneca. He had been a resident there since June of 2001.
     He was born January 13, 1905, on the Mathewson homestead south of Seneca, the son of William A. and Mary Lackey Mathewson. Frank graduated from the Blue Star School, District No. 58 and also attended Sts. Peter & Paul School. In 1976 he earned a G.E.D.
    On February 9, 1927, he married Nola McDonnell at St. Michael’s Church, Axtell. They farmed the Mathewson homestead, raised livestock and for many years raised about 10,000 turkeys per year. He also did custom thrashing and corn shelling. From 1933 to 1945 he worked at the ASCS Office in Seneca, where he was the office manager. In 1973 they moved to Seneca but he continued to farm until 1987. His wife, Nola, died March 22, 1975.
     He was married to Marcella Rettele Rethman on September 4, 1976. They enjoyed retirement together. She died April 1, 1999.
     Frank was a lifetime member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church where he had served on the church committee and where he belonged to the St. Joseph Society. He joined the Knights of Columbus #1769 when he was 18 years old, and was also a member of the Ponce de Leon Chapter of the 4th Degree Knights. He helped organize the Rural Electric Association, the Rural Water District, and the Agricultural Servcie Center. After his brother-in-law Kenny McDonnell died in 1988, Frank took over keeping track of the weather in Seneca for the Courier Tribune. He always had a large garden and enjoyed sharing his produce with family and friends.
     Survivors are two sons, Gerald Mathewson of Seneca and Max Mathewson of Grandview, MO; three daughters, Marilyn Huckabay of Meriden, Donna Stewart of Greenfield, IN, and Ruth Gapske of Overland Park; three stepsons, John Rethman, Jr. of Seneca, Walter, “Pete" Rethman of Holton, Wayne Rethman of El Dorado; five step-daughters, Doris Fairfield and Elizabeth “Betty” Himmelberg, both of Kansas City, MO, Judy Heim of Marian, KS, Carol Karnowski of La Vista, NE, and Mary Sander of Morrill, KS; nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; 24 step-grandchildren and 35 step-great-grandchildren.
    Besides his wife, Nola, and his wife, Marcella, he was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth Mathewson on December 6, 1994; a grandson, Dennis Mathewson on April 19, 1990; three brothers, Albert, Paul, and George Mathewson; a sister, Helen Oenbring; a step-son Thomas Rethman; and two step-daughters, Juanita Rethman and Marceil Fouraker.
    The mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday at Sts Peter & Paul Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. He will lie in state at the Lauer Funeral Home after 8:30 A.M. on Tuesday where a rosary will be prayed by the Knights of Columbus at 2 P.M. and a prayer service will be conducted at 7 P.M. Tuesday.
    Memorials may be given for the Knights of Columbus or for Sts. Peter & Paul School and sent in care of the family.