Doris Emma Matias

Doris Emma Matias, 91, of Holmen, Wisconsin, died at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse Tuesday, May 2, 2017.

Doris was born to Otto and Susie (Bindschaedel) Westphal on the family farm on Dorset Ridge in Clifton Township, Monroe County, Wisconsin, April 2, 1926. Doris was baptized at home and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Dorset Ridge. She attended Dorset Ridge Elementary School and Kendall High School. After graduating in 1943 at age 17, she worked in Chicago processing War Savings Bonds. When her mother died in 1945, she returned home and worked as a secretary at Camp McCoy and then at the VA Hospital in Tomah. Doris then moved to La Crosse and worked as a medical secretary at Gundersen Clinic when it had only twelve doctors. In later years she again worked as a medical secretary at Gundersen Clinic and then at Dr. C. Norman Shealy’s private pain clinic and retired from St. Francis Hospital in 1987. Doris and Earl enjoyed playing cards especially bridge, square dancing, golfing, and spending winters in Texas.

Doris married Earl Richard Matias at the English Lutheran Church in La Crosse April 16, 1949. He preceded her in death December 27, 2002.

Survivors include her children Kathy (Larry) Nuttall, Onalaska, Wisconsin; Christine (George) Criswell, East Moline, Illinois; and Richard (Jeanne) Matias, Haymarket, Virginia. She is also survived by her grandsons Mike Criswell; Matt (Ingrid) Nuttall and their daughter Ripley; David (Brooke) Criswell and their children Keegan, Reagen, Adrienne, and Corinne; and granddaughters Alissa and Anna Matias. Additionally, she is survived by her sister Alvera Eckelberg, Kendall, Wisconsin; her brother Carl (Carol) Westphal, Mary Esther, Florida; and her brother-in-law Alvin Cook, Tomah, Wisconsin. Doris was preceded in death by her sisters Gertrude Westphal and Ruth Cook; her brothers Edward, Henry, Louis, and Lloyd Westphal; her sisters-in-law Irene, Blanche, and Florence Westphal; and her brother-in-law Loren Eckelberg.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Schumacher–Kish Funeral & Cremation Services, La Crosse Chapel, 200 West Avenue South, with Rev. Dr. Dennis C. Johnson officiating. A lunch will follow at the Moose Club, 1932 Ward Avenue. Private inurnment will take place at Oak Grove Garden Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Hearten House III, Alzheimer’s Association, the American Heart Association, or a charity of your choice.