Jean Mathis

Jean Mathis, 97, of Waukon, IA, died Monday, May 25, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 28th, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Philip Agyei officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 9:00 AM until time of services on Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the family and will be designated by the family at a later date. Martin – Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Loretta Jean (Kelly) Mathis was born March 11, 1929, in Waterville, IA. The first of two children born to Ted R. Kelly and Gertrude (Wachter) Kelly. Jean was baptized and confirmed at St. Pius Catholic Church Cherry Mound. She attended all 12 years at Waterville Consolidated School and graduated in 1947. She attended Luther College and received her teaching certificate. Jean taught for a year in Lafayette Township. She married Vince Mathis September 7, 1948, at St. Pius Catholic Church. They farmed in the Waterville and Thompson Corner areas and moved to Waukon in December, 1959. Jean was a homemaker until she became a bookkeeper for Spring Ave. Skelly and Waukon Tire Center. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon.

Jean enjoyed fishing on the Mississippi River, following the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers, as well as following her family members play for the Waukon Indians. She especially enjoyed gardening, baking and sewing. Quilting was her overall favorite hobby, creating many treasured keepsakes. Her family and friends will remember her for her amazing ability to remember facts and dates.

She is survived by her six children: Elaine (Jim) Bitterman of Overgaard, AZ, Glen Mathis, Jane Snitker, Marilyn (Jim) Thies, Peggy Mathis, and Paul (Karen) Mathis, all of Waukon; seven grandchildren: Chris (Annalie) Thies, Beth (Greg) Beltz, Brent Bitterman, Kelly (James) Deeney, Micah (David) Miller, Karli (Sawyer) Kuboushek and Tanner Mathis; 11 great-grandchildren: Sydney (Will) Trussell, Landon Thies, Logan (Cassidy) Beltz, Dillan Beltz, Reid, Ava and Mya Deeney, Hailey and Andrew Miller, Banks and Lenni Kuboushek; and one great-great grandchild, Charlotte Beltz. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother Tade; her husband Vince in 2013; a grandson Jason Berg; a great-grandson Devan Beltz; and a son-in-law Mike Snitker.

Casketbearers are Jean's grandchildren.