Joseph S. Mathias
Sunday, December 8, 1935
Date of Death:
Saturday, August 24, 2024
Age:
88 years old
Joseph S. Mathias
Joseph Stanley Mathias, 88, of Byron, passed away Saturday, August 24, 2024, at The Mayo Clinic, St. Marys campus.
Joe was born December 8, 1935 in Wabasha, MN to Louis and Margaret (Koemel) Mathias. He attended Wabasha schools and then proudly served in the US Army. On October 19, 1963, Joe married Mary Jo Traufler in Chatfield, MN. Joe and Mary Jo moved to Byron in 1967, when he went to work for the Byron school district. Joe worked as a custodian for Byron schools from 1967 until he retired in 1997. In his spare time, he loved to till and work in his vegetable and flower gardens, grill out on his deck and watch old western and wrestling tv shows. Joe and Mary Jo also loved to travel, especially going to South Padre Island, TX. Joe was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church and an active member of the Knights of Columbus. Above all, Joe loved spending time with his family.
He is survived by his loving wife of almost 61 years, Mary Jo; children, John (Dee) of Byron, MN, Mark (Tammy) of Mantorville, MN, Rose (Kevin) Smith of Hayfield, MN, Matthew of Rochester, MN, Luke (Judy) of Byron, MN and Peter of Byron, MN; ten grandchildren, Emilia (Danny) Kalscheur, Erika (Jake) Turcotte, Samantha (Kyle) Wakefield, Olivia Mathias, Ella Mathias, Marissa Becker, Sabrina Smith, Charles Smith, Jillian Mathias, and Kyleigh Smith and twelve great-grandchildren, Maiia and Eliza Kalscheur, Harper Mathias, Grant Turcotte, Hayes Wakefield, Wyatt and Kennedy Reller, Xavier and Raelynn Smith, Maddox Petersen, Hazel and Aspen Chomjak; sister, Bea Gessner of Rochester, MN ; brother, Gerald (Ruth) Mathias of Wabasha, MN, and numerous nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by eight siblings and by his parents.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 29, 2024 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 202 4th St. NW, Byron, MN 55920. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Preston, MN.
Condolences
The family of Joseph S. Mathias has received the following condolences.
I just heard about uncle Joe. I know we had lost touch, but that doesn't mean that I don't remember him as the special guy he was. I know he was a good father and not knowing his grandkids, I bet he'll be remembered and loved by them forever.
I'm sorry for your loss!
Mike Schnoor
I just heard about uncle Joe. I know we had lost touch, but that doesn't mean that I don't remember him as the special guy he was. I know he was a good father and not knowing his grandkids, I bet he'll be remembered and loved by them forever.
I'm sorry for your loss!
Mike Schnoor
Dear Mathias Family,
So sorry to hear of Joe's passing. I always liked running into him, he was a great guy. Hugs and prayers for you all.
Kim McPhee
Dear Mathias Family,
So sorry to hear of Joe's passing. I always liked running into him, he was a great guy. Hugs and prayers for you all.
Kim McPhee
Rose & Kevin and rest of family. I’m so sorry for the loss of Joe. He was a wonderful man.
I was sorry to hear of Joe's passing. I have wonderful memories hanging out with John and Joe always willing to take us or pick us up from the movies when we were kids. I also had the pleasure of working with Joe during the summer. My prayers and thoughts are with Mary Jo, John and the rest of the family.
I’m so sorry to hear of Joe passing. He was a good man.
You don’t know me but my kids remember him fondly from school. He dug and tilled our first garden many many years ago 💕.
Robyn Iversen
Rose and Kevin and rest of family. I am so very sorry for the loss of your dad. Know that my thoughts and prayers are witg you all.
Rose and Kevin and rest of family. I am so very sorry for the loss of your dad. Know that my thoughts and prayers are witg you all.
We always enjoyed listeining to Joe's stories. I really enjoyed chatting at the KC meetings and noticed how much the Knights meant to him. Lots of great memories! Mike
Teresa and I are so sorry to hear of Joe’s death. He was a good faithful Catholic man and loved his parish. We have fond memories of Joe and his unique way he would tell stories. Joe had a collection of hats that would make us all laugh. He will be missed.
My sincere sympathy to all of uncle Joe's family. He was a fun uncle to me and a wonderful brother to dad. He will be so missed by so many. RIP, Joe. Say hello to grandma when you see her! Love Julie