Della Mable Matt, 96

Published 9:02 am Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Della Mable Matt, 96

Della Mable Matt, 96, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

She was born with her twin, Delmar, on Sept. 12, 1922, in Carpenter, Iowa, to Adolph William and Mable Mary Elizabeth (Smith) Stehn. Della achieved “First Rank in Scholarship Among the Girls,” graduating with the Carpenter High School Class of 1941, where she was also honored as Miss Carpenter. Following her graduation, she attended Austin Junior College and studied accounting. On June 8, 1943, Della was united in marriage to Joseph Henry Matt Jr. in Fillmore, Minnesota. Her husband, the Rev. Joe Matt, served as Pastor at Crane Community Chapel for 55 years. Della enjoyed her role in ministry as the spouse of a pastor. Her featured contribution on the weekly “Family Hour” broadcast of 45 years on TV 6 was known as “Della’s Scrapbook,” wherein she honed her wonderful story-telling skills. She was a homemaker who lovingly raised her children, David and Barbara, alongside her husband. Della spent her leisure time with various crafts (ceramics, acrylic painting on canvas or saw blades, crocheting, etc.) and reading prolifically—the Bible, as well as books from various genres. Della was the final remaining charter member (of 12) of Crane Community Chapel. Her family and friends will miss her dearly.

Survivors include her daughter, Barbara (Mike) Fullingim of Bartlesville; daughter-in-law, Nancy Matt of Fishers, Indiana; four grandchildren, Kathy Jo (Matt) Davis, Heather Jo (Matt) Shoemaker, Jeremy Fullingim and Kristina (Fullingim) Argüello; and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe, in 2007; her son, David, in 2017; two brothers, Russel and Delmar Stehn; and one sister, Ethel (Stehn) Tesch.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, at Crane Chapel in Austin with Pastor Dale Christiansen officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and two hours prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery in Austin. The family prefers that memorials be directed to Crane Chapel. Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.