John Matteson

John Dean Matteson, a cherished husband, devoted father, esteemed educator, brilliant engineer, and beloved member of the Seymour community, passed away on June 25, 2024, at the age of 74. His life was marked by a profound dedication to family, friends, and the joy he found in connecting with others over a well-spun story.

Born on October 10, 1949, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, John was the son of Mark Matteson and Evonne (Dubord) Matteson. He graduated from Casimir Pulaski High School in 1967 and went on to earn his Bachelor's degree in Education from Stout State University in 1971, followed by his Master's in Education from UW-Stout in 1972. At Stout, John was a proud member of the Kappa Lambda Beta fraternity, where he forged lifelong friendships.

In 1973, John married the love of his life, Patricia Jury, with whom he recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by friends and family. Their union was a testament to enduring love and mutual support.

While at Stout, John studied drafting and engineering. His passion for engineering led him to a career as a high school technical education teacher at New Trier East High School in Winnetka, IL, and subsequently at Seymour Community High School in Seymour, WI. He taught until 1986 when he transitioned to become a manufacturing engineer for Alwin Manufacturing in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Outside of work, John pursued his passions with zeal. He was an enthusiastic bow hunter and gun hunter, finding solace and challenge in the Wisconsin wilderness. A skilled gardener, John took great pride in cultivating his garden and sharing its bounty with family and friends. One of his proudest accomplishments was building his home in rural Shawano County by hand in 1977, a testament to his ingenuity and determination.

John's vibrant personality and love for storytelling endeared him to all who knew him. He had an endless supply of humorous anecdotes and was known for his lively presence at gatherings, especially when playing cards like sheepshead and cribbage, activities he cherished with family and friends. He especially enjoyed reading a chapter from classic novels with his daughter Mary Elizabeth each night before bedtime. This ritual fostered his daughter's own love of reading and storytelling, thus inspiring her to become an English Language Arts teacher.

For thirty years, John served as the spirited voice of The Seymour Thunder Football team, bringing excitement and community spirit to every game.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Mark and Evonne Matteson, and his sister, Rosemary Matteson Sander. He is survived by his devoted wife, Patricia; his beloved daughter, Mary Elizabeth (Jon) Hardin; his brother, Paul (Carrie) Matteson; and his sister, Angel (Scott) Matteson Schmitz. He will be deeply missed by his extended family, friends, and the countless lives he touched through his teaching and community involvement.

Visitation will be held at 9:00 AM on July 9th at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Seymour, followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 AM with Fr. Bob Kabat and Deacon Rich Matuszak officiating. Interment to follow at the parish cemetery. All who knew John are invited to attend to celebrate his life and share their favorite memories and stories of him.

Online condolences may be expressed to John's family at www.muehlboettcher.com